Ex-CM B.S. Yeddyurappa has demanded ticket for his supporter Rudregowda instead of MLC Siddaramanna
BJP Logo (Photo: DC/File)
BENGALURU/SHIVAMOGGA: With polls for 25 seats in the Legislative Council likely in December 2015, leaders of the state unit of BJP has failed to arrive at a consensus on their candidates in the wake of intense lobbying by seniors and aspirants alike.
Though the leaders have made up their mind to field five of the seven MLCs, including Kota Srinivasa Poojari, R.K. Siddaramanna, Mahantesh Kavatagimatt, Halappa Achar and G.S. Nyamegowda, former chief minister B.S.Yeddyurappa has demanded the ticket for his supporter Rudregowda instead of incumbent MLC and loyal party worker, Mr Siddaramanna. From Chamarajanagar, Mr Yeddyurappa wants the party to field another supporter K.R. Mallikarjunappa against Congress MLC R. Dharmasena notwithstanding the fact that the former has not joined the BJP so far.
Sources in the party said that in place of Kota Srinivasa Poojari, Udupi-Chikamgalauru MP, Shobha Karandlaje has proposed the name of a woman candidate, but the party has turned down her proposal. In Bengaluru (urban) and Bengaluru (rural) districts, too, the party has not been able to finalize candidates to take on MLC Dayananda of Congress and E. Krishnappa of JD (S).
Sources said as the BJP won 100 seats in BBMP, it was confident of winning Bengaluru (Urban) district, prompting MLC Ashwathnarayana, former minister B.N. Bachegowda and party leader Dodda Basavaraj to lobby for the ticket to contest for this seat. From Karnataka (West) teachers constituency, former CM Jagadish Shettar's brother Pradeep Shettar has applied for a ticket, but the party seems keen to field old timer Mohan Limbikai.
Interestingly, MLC G. Madhusudhan could find it difficult to get another term as the party is keen to field M.V. Ravishankar.
Second term for Siddaramanna?
The local unit of BJP commenced the campaign for forthcoming elections to the upper House with Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, K.S. Eshwarappa, announcing the party’s decision to field R. K. Siddaramanna for the second term.
Mr. Eshwarappa said the MLC’s views were appreciated by leaders of various parties including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He said the latter had praised Mr.Siddaramanna who had mooted a private member bill to implement Kannada in the judicial system. The forthcoming polls could mark the beginning of the party’s return to power in Karnataka.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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