BJP’s Banakar, Bachegowda’s son firm on contesting bypoll

Bengaluru: Discontent appears to be growing in the BJP over its partiality to fielding the disqualified MLAs in the December byelections with Karnataka Warehousing Corporation chairman, U.B. Banakar,  resigning to contest from Hirekeru Assembly constituency as a rebel and  Chikaballapura BJP MP, B.N. Bachegowda's son, Sharath Bachegowda, reportedly turning down the post of chairman of the BMTC to contest  as a rebel from Hoskote.

At a recent party meeting in Hubballi, party leaders and workers from Kagawad, Athani and Gokak had vehemently opposed giving tickets to the disqualified MLAs for the bypolls, angering Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa, who reportedly pulled them up for their lack of gratitude to the former legislators, who helped bring the BJP to power in Karnataka.   Not only was a video of his speech leaked to the embarrassment of the party's top brass, but some of the rebels have since decided to go ahead and contest the bypolls .

A former BJP MLA, Mr. Banakar was defeated in the 2018 assembly elections by Mr B.C. Patil of the Congress from Hirekeru. And now with Mr. Patil, who quit the assembly along with 16 other rebel MLAs of the Congress and JD(S), appearing the favourite to contest on a BJP ticket from the constituency,  Mr Banakar  has decided to enter the fray on a Congress ticket, according to party sources.

In more trouble for the party,  Mr  Sharath Bachegowda has reportedly decided to contest from Hoskote as a rebel should the party field disqualified legislator, M.T.B. Nagaraj from the constituency.. Although the Chief Minister appointed him chairman of the BMTC, he declined  the offer, and has already held meetings with his supporters, who have advised him to contest the bypolls, sources reveal.

In Kagawad too, former MLA, Raju Kage is seeking a party ticket, while the BJP is believed to have promised to field disqualified MLA, Seemanth Patil from the constituency.