Bengaluru: Even though BJP candidate Chandrasekar announced retirement from the Ramanagara by-election, his name was seen in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
According to the BJP Ramanagara district unit sources, Chandrasekar announced retirement from the fray only through media. “He hasn’t communicated his decision officially to the Election Commission. As a result, his name continued to appear in the EVMs,” said a leader.
According to the election commission sources, if the BJP secures highest votes in Ramanagar, Chandrasekar will be announced as the winner.
“In the ballot boxes (EVMs), Chandrasekar’s name has been printed against the BJP party symbol- blooming lotus. If he secures highest votes, he will be announced as the winner,” informed an election commission officer.
Meanwhile, according to the political analysts, party candidate retiring from the election just days before the voting is not a new trend in Ramanagar. “In 2013, HD Kumaraswamy followed the same tactic. He ensured that then KJP candidate Khijar Pasha retires from the election a day before the voting. Interesting, the KJP was headed by BS Yeddyurappa,” said a JDS leader.
Evidently, the visibility of BJP was poor in Ramanagar and only JDS candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy and her supporters were seen visiting polling booths in the constituency.
It is said that after Chandrashekar’s retirement, even the agents of the party who are deputed at various polling centres to help voters too remained away from the booths.
