Third gender denoted as a 'caste' in Bihar's recent caste-based survey

With each political party having a distinct area of influence in various regions of the state, it is key to understand the "micro picture" in every such part, as Karnataka heads for Assembly polls on May 10.

Kittur Karnataka (earlier known as Mumbai/ Bombay Karnataka region) sends 50 MLAs to the Legislative Assembly.

Comprising seven districts- Belagavi, Dharwad, Vijayapura, Haveri, Gadag, Bagalkote and Uttara Kannada- it's a direct fight between the ruling BJP and the Congress in this region, where the Janata Dal (Secular) is considerably weak.

The state government decided in 2021 to rechristen the region that was under the erstwhile Bombay presidency, before Independence, as 'Kittur Karnataka' from 'Mumbai-Karnataka.'

The name Kittur is after a historical taluk in Belagavi district that was ruled by Rani Chennamma (17781829), who had fought the British before Jhansi Rani Laxmibai did.

Predominantly a Lingayat dominated region (other than Uttara Kannada district), it is the home