Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing an uphill task in multiple Lok Sabha constituencies of the state, thanks to the stripping of party re-nomination for sitting MPs on one hand and denial of tickets to the aspirants. Compared to the panic-like challenging atmosphere in the initial stage, it looks to have become a viable situation following hectic parleys by the party leaders.
Subdued feelings galore: On the face of it the party is putting a brave face front and is in a jubilant mood of somehow managing to address the initial bickering in the first round. However, the solace looks like the tip of the iceberg as most of the sitting MPs’ who have been denied a chance to contest once again have gone into a subdued feelings mode. In public, they have been claiming to toe the party lines, but what they are thinking in their innermost mind is not clear even to their close followers and strategy managers.
Bidar, a tough proposition: Bhagawanth Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemicals, New and Renewable Energy is the second time MP from Bidar. He had sprung a big surprise when he was nominated to contest for the first time in 2014. Even the state party leaders were taken aback at the announcement of the ticket to Bhagawanth Khuba and some party men went to the extent of predicting his humiliating defeat. However, contrary to their expectations Bhagawanth Khuba sailed easily and unassumingly.
Not much change in the situation: Just like when he contested for the first ever time, it is more or less the same situation now in the changed scenario. The party legislators had openly opposed his candidature much before the tickets were declared to no avail. Prabhu Chavan, former minister and sitting MLA went to the extreme step of prostrating before BY Vijayendra, the newly appointed state BJP President, opposing ticket to Bhagwanth Khuba! Despite all such opposition on the ground he has been a beneficiary for the third time. But, whether he will make it for the third time is a much-debated query in Bidar now.
Spoilsport in Shivamogga: KS Eshwarappa, former BJP DCM is up in arms in Shivamogga against BY Raghavendra, elder son of BS Yediyurappa. The latter has been an MP since 2009 apart from representing Shikaripura in the state Assembly. A former colleague, well-wisher of BS Yediyurappa turned bête noire is making noise tearing the Yediyurappa family on the streets of Shivamogga and pledging support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the same time.
Not even a notice served: To date he hasn’t been served with any show cause notice, forget disciplinary action. Time and again Siddaramaiah, the current chief minister has emerged as a leader of the Kuruba (Shepherd) community while KS Eshwarappa is known only for belonging to the same community. In that respect, his outbursts may be a treat to Yediyurappa baiters in Shivamogga City but not the whole of the constituency.
Elsewhere across the state: Likewise, there have been rumblings in many other constituencies and most of all those who raised their voices have been silenced in public. How far they remain mute in public and operate in private will decide the future course of the party candidates.
-Manohar Yadavatti
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