The notification by the Delimitation Commission of India about reconstituting the Lok Sabha constituencies all over the country has affected some segments in the that are going to the polls in April.
This is the first time that 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state will be facing electorates in the newly formed constituencies after the delimitation process.
For example, Gulbarga constituency was under the general category during the last 14 Lok Sabha elections. But it will now be reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes.
Raichur, Chitradurga and Bijapur follow the Gulbarga way, to become reserved constituencies for Scheduled castes from a general constituency.
Bellary which was a general category segment until the last elections, has now been reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates.
But Bidar Lok Sabha constituency has a different story to tell.
Ever since it came into being, it was reserved for Scheduled castes, but this year, it will welcome general category candidates.
Also, there are constituencies that have made a disappearing act this year.
Prominent among such constituencies is Kanakapura in Bangalore’s neighbourhood.
Kanakapura had been considered to be the largest constituency in India with as many as 22 lakh voters participating from this constituency alone in the last Lok Sabha polls.
Now, parts of erstwhile Kanakapura and Uttrahalli Lok Sabha constituencies have been redrawn to become a part of Bangalore Rural.
Also, the historical Chikmagalur constituency has been merged with Udupi to form a single Lok Sabha constituency.
However, this year, each Lok Sabha segment will be restricted to comprising not more than eight Assembly constituencies.
Therefore, each constituency will have a minimum of 16 lakh electorate participating in the polls this year.
