this apparent unflinching support from the electorate in holenarasipura for instance gowdas popularity initially saw rival parties field weak candidates once he grew in stature he ensured that there was virtually no opposition in soraba bangarappa s constant partyjumping ensured friends across the board local support ensured victory in elections after elections on the other hand yediyurappa turned even foes into friends for instance just ahead of the 2018 polls congress mahalingappa who had defeated him in 1999 became his poll manager while k shekharappa who was the congress candidate against him in three elections joined the bjp camp also hs shanthaveerappa gowda who gave the former cm a tough fight as the congress candidate in