Bengaluru: With no love lost between the coalition partners Congress and JD(S) in the Old Mysuru region where they fought fierce poll battles just five months ago, the BJP is trying its best to capitalise on the divide and scored the first victory by roping in Congress leader Chandrashekar, son of Congress MLC C.M. Lingappa. He joined the saffron party at BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa’s residence here on Wednesday.
The Ramanagara Congress unit has always opposed giving the Ramanagara Assembly seat to the JD(S) with Congress leader C.M. Lingappa openly opposing the ‘surrender’ to the coalition partner and even warning that he will work against the JD(S) candidate in the byelection scheduled for November 3.
Sensing an opportunity to exploit the trust deficit between the Congress and JD(S), the BJP has even deferred the announcement of its candidates for the Ramanagara Assembly seat and Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. Sources said BJP State President B.S Yeddyurappa had entrusted former minister C.P.Yogeshwar the task of roping in disgruntled Congress and JD(S) leaders into the party. On Wednesday, Mr Yogeshwar struck in his first attempt by inducting Mr Chandrashekar into the BJP.
Party sources did not rule out the possibility of Mr Chandrashekar becoming the BJP candidate against Anitha Kumaraswamy, wife of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and the JD(S) candidate for Ramanagara. If that happens, Mr C.M. Lingappa will have no option but to support his son adding to the disarray in the coalition ranks, sources added.
