Bidar: As the polling dates are nearing, the BJP is intensifying its campaign in the Bidar Lok Sabha constituency, but without Aurad MLA Prabhu Chauhan. The absence of Chauhan is a cause of worry for the saffron party, as the leader was able to provide a 20,000-vote lead from his constituency in the 2019 general election and he is crucial for the winning of current MP Bhagwanth Khuba this time.
BJP leader and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa was in Bidar for campaigning for Bhagwanth Khuba on Thursday. When reporters asked about rifts in the party and the inability to persuade Chauhan to join Khuba’s election campaign, Yediyurappa visibly lost his cool and asked the scribes not to discuss that issue.
MLA Prabhu Chauhan and MLC Sharanu Salgar were opposing the renomination of current MP Bhagwanth Khuba and were vocal against him. They both wanted a fresh face to be fielded from the constituency, but the BJP went ahead with Khuba once again. Since then, Chauhan has not made any public appearances and has maintained a distance from poll-related activities.
Speaking to reporters, Yediyurappa expressed confidence that Khuba will win this time as well, with a margin of 1.50 lakh votes. The Congress has fielded a political greenhorn, Sagar Khandre, son of Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre, from this seat.
Prabhu Chauhan gave a miss to election rally organised in constituency Aurad, where senior BJP leaders including BS Yediyurappa sought blessings of the voters.
