Chamarajanagar: Kollegal Constituency Legislator N. Mahesh, who had been criticising BJP’s principles just two years ago, is all set to join BJP on Thursday August 5. But the announcement by Reserved Constituency Legislator has now become a matter of concern among the local leaders of the BJP.
In 2018 assembly elections, Mahesh won from BSP ticket supported by JDS. Mahesh securing 31,324 votes opened account for BSP in Karnataka Assembly. However, this joy of BSP was shortlived. In 2019 BSP high command issued whip to Mahesh to vote in favour of the then Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy during the floor test. But party dismissed him following Mahesh’s absence during the confidence motion.
Though the BSP won the last assembly election, ruling BJP was pushed to third place. Congress candidate A. R. Krishna Murthy secured second place with 24,565 votes. It is not easy for the BJP candidate to win the next assembly election, which means even for Mahesh too it is going to be tough battle. However, BJP local leaders are worried that N. Mahesh will demand tickets for his supporters in the upcoming district and taluk panchayat elections. Already, hundreds of BJP leaders are trying to get BJP tickets and are now worries that would have to struggle and compete with Mahesh’s supporters for ticket.
Mahesh has already had a lengthy discussion with district BJP leaders. The leaders who ruled out Mahesh’s induction into party have now change stance saying that those who accept the party’s ideology are always welcome.
Though Mahesh is saying that he is joining BJP without any pre-condition, BJP leaders are not in a position to believe this. In addition to this, when Mahesh had held a meeting of the supporters recently and therein many had expressed view that he should press the party to give him ministerial seat and also tickets to his supporters at the district panchayat and taluk panchayat elections.
N Mahesh has good rapport with B. S. Yediyurappa and District MP V. Srinivasa Prasad. While N. Mahesh is all set to join BJP, pro and opposing debate has begun in the social media. According to BJP sources though Mahesh would be inducted into party he would not be included in the cabinet.
