Bengaluru: The BJP central leadership once again snubbed Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa by rejecting outright his choice of candidates for the Rajya Sabha election.
The tickets were instead given to two party workers from north Karnataka.
The high command's choice of Eranna Kadadi, district president of Belagavi Rural, and Ashok Gasti, Bellary Vibhag Prabhari, surprised many in the party. In the core committee meeting, BJP had cleared the names of former MP Ramesh Katti and hotelier Prakash Shetty for the Upper House.
Ignoring the BJP core committee's decision, which is the highest decision0making body in state bjp, party central leadership picked two party workers, who have strong RSS background.
Nearly year back party central leadership has chosen BJP MP of Dakshina Kannada Constituency, Nalin Kumar Kateel as party State President without consulting the Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa.
Now, once again party central leadership has taken unilateral decision of choosing candidates to the Rajya Sabha.
BJP National organizing secretary B.L. Santhosh has handpicked two BJP workers to the Upper House. Mr. Kadadi belongs to Lingayat community.
He worked hard to strengthen the party base in rural areas in Belagavi district and Mr. Gasti belongs to Savita Samaja and he was instrumental in strengthening party base in Bellary and Raichuru district.
In fact BJP central leadership has hinted the state leadership to choose the Rajya Sabha candidates those who have from party organizational background.
However, the Chief Minister promised the ticket to Ramesh Katti and Prakash Shetty, Mr. Shetty was business partner with Yediyurappa’s younger son B.Y. Vijayendra.
In previous elections to Rajya Sabha his candidature was considered by the party, but party central leadership has given ticket to Prabhakar Kore, prominent lingayat leader from North Karnataka.
Reason for rejecting the State BJP candidature to the Rajaya Sabha by BJP central leadership was crystal clear. Mr. Santhosh has very much clear not to encourage family dominated politics in North Karnataka.
Even central leadership informed incumbent sitting member of Rajya Sabha not giving ticket to him for third term.
At the same time, BJP central leadership has against the pressure tactics of Katti brothers. BJP senior legislator, Umesh Katti pressurised the Chief Minister and BJP State BJP leadership for Rajya Sabha ticket to his brother Umesh Katti.
Kharge files nomination
Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge has filed his candidature for the Rajya Sabha election on Monday. Along with KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar and senior Congress leaders, . Kharge had filed nomination to the Upper House.
Since Congress has backed the candidature of JD(S) supremo H.D.Devegowda, his entry to the Upper House is certain.
