Bengaluru: BJP state leaders, including a senior section of the RSS leaders, are now feeling the heat of the absence of former union minister Anant Kumar as former CM and party state unit president B S Yeddyurappa has totally taken control of the party. The BJP’s first list for the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies released on Thursday, proved yet again that BSY is the master and even the party’s national president, Amit Shah listens to him.
The best example of BSY’s control over the party affairs was proved with the issuance of the ticket to incumbent MPs Shobha Karandlaje and Nalin Kumar Kateel. A section of party leaders from Dakshina Kannada, with the support of RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, wanted to replace Nalin. But Nalin, who is considered to be a close aide of BSY, was able to retain his seat.
BJP state unit general secretary CT Ravi tried to replace Shobha from the Udupi -Chikkamagaluru constituency and with the support of another RSS leader and party national organisation secretary B L Santosh, pushed for Jayaprakash Hegde’s name to be considered instead. But his efforts failed as BSY rallied behind Shobha.
A delay in the annoucement of a ticket in the Bengaluru South constituency has also raised suspicions that BSY has a hand in this. One of the safe constituencies for the BJP in the state is Bengaluru South. Tejaswini Anantkumar, the wife of late Union Minister Anant Kumar, has already started a campaign in the constituency. But a delay in the announcement of a ticket to her has caused tension among the late minister’s supporters led by party leader Aravind Limbavali. “It is BSY’s ploy,” said a BJP leader.
