The third phase of the 2024 General Elections in Karnataka will take place on May 7, with the focus shifting to the North and Central Karnataka regions. This marks a significant shift from the closely fought contests witnessed in South Karnataka’s Vokkaliga-dominated constituencies. The battleground will now move to Mumbai Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka, where Veerashaiva-Lingayats hold a strong political sway. The BJP, heavily reliant on the support of Veerashaiva-Lingayats, currently holds all 14 constituencies in these regions, while the JD(S) has a limited influence outside of a few pockets in Kalyana Karnataka.