Fighting Srinivas Prasad: Congress tries to lure JD(S) man in Nanjangud!
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has begun holding consultations with leaders in Nanjangud constituency to finalize a candidate for the bypoll following the resignation of former Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad, who quit after his unceremonious removal from the state Cabinet.
The CM, who was in Mysuru for the last two days to attend the last rites of co-operation and sugar minister Mahadev Prasad, discussed with local leaders the choice of a suitable candidate to take on Mr Srinivas Prasad. It is learnt that the ruling party does not have a strong candidate to field against the ex-minister forcing it to think of poaching on defeated JD(S) candidate in the 2013 Assembly polls, Mr Keshvamurthy, who is well connected with the electorate.
Sources in the CM's Office told Deccan Chronicle that Mr Siddaramaiah was not in favour of fielding PWD Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa or his son, Mr Sunil Bose or Chamarajnagar Lok Sabha member, Mr Dhruvanarayan in Nanjangud. Reason: The tenure of the newly-elected legislator would be less than a year as the state would go to Assembly polls in March-April next year.
The Congress does not want to take a chance of fielding Mr Bose due to the strong wave in favour of Mr Prasad. Mr Bose, if he loses, would not be able to go before voters again next year. The best bet for the ruling party is to field Mr Keshvamurthy since his victory or defeat would not have any bearing on the party’s fortunes.
A majority of local Congress leaders feel the need for a good candidate to face up to Mr Prasad who had been in state and national politics for over four decades. Compared to Mr Prasad, Mr Sunil Bose is a political novice who has not faced polls till date and has to depend on his father's charisma to win. Besides, Dr Mahadevappa is more popular in neighbouring T Narasipur than Nanjangud and it would be difficult for him to connect with new voters.
Even Dr Mahadevappa does not want his son's career to start with a defeat. Mr Dhruvanarayan has already ruled out contesting against Mr Prasad since the parliament polls are due only in 2019 and he has 3 years of his tenure left.
Sources admitted that the strength of Mr Prasad had doubled after he joined the BJP due to presence of a large number of Lingayats in Nanjangud. His sole aim is to defeat the Congress candidate to take revenge on Mr Siddaramaiah and Dr Mahadevappa whom he held responsible for his dropping from the Cabinet. Mr Prasad had made it clear that this would be his last election.
The rank and file of BJP has decided to strive for the victory of Mr Prasad which would have an impact on the trends in 2018.
