Bengaluru: Pick your men; B.S.Yeddyurappa to Amit Shah

Bengaluru: State BJP chief,  B.S.Yeddyurappa discussed the crucial question of whether or not to give tickets to its sitting MPs this coming Lok Sabha poll with national president, Amit Shah in Delhi on Friday.

Mr Yeddyurappa has reportedly left it to the party's central leadership to  decide on this as he is unwilling to antagonise the few sitting MPs, who are facing anti-incumbency in their constituencies.

The BJP chief is in a tight spot as his party MPs from Belagavi, Viajayapura, Bagalkote, Koppal, Udupi-Chikmagaluru, Bidar, Dakshina Kannada  and Mysuru are facing stiff opposition from their local leaders.  Mr. Yeddyurappa is hesitant to back these MPs as  the party has instructed RSS workers to do a ground level survey of what  the voters think about the sitting MPs to get an independent review, according to sources.

But some in the party believe the sitting MPs could be given tickets despite opposition from local leaders. In their view, they would have no choice but to work for them if they are fielded. "There will be no room for dissent once the party announces its first list of candidates," said a senior BJP leader.

Among the MPs facing flak is  Udupi-Chikamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje, who on Thursday hit back at her critics by releasing a list of her achievements over the last  four- and-a-half years. The MP has begun campaigning in the constituency for a second term despite the "Go back Shobhakka" campaign  gaining momentum on social media and voters openly criticising her for her inaccessibility.