Bengaluru : A day after BJP announced the first list of 189 candidates for the May 10 assembly polls, BJP in Karnataka was confronted with emotionally charged rebellion with two MLCs quitting the party and six time MLA announcing retirement from electoral politics, saying there “was no value for honesty”. Couple of MLA’s sobbed before media , saying there was “ lack of grace” in how things were handled.
Former Dy CM Laxman Savadi who was denied ticket from Athani quits Party MLC Post and all set to quit party as per his statements to party workers said “Shameless to go with a begging bowl for seat” . Former CM Jagadish Shettar, whose name didn’t figure in the list , meets top brass in Delhi, in other hand B S Yeddiyurappa said shettar will get a ticket.
Seven MLA’s including Madal Virupakshappa, were denied ticket .However, BJP’s lists for Karnataka indicates the leadership has been circumspect. Although it has fielded 52 new faces and may still drop another five incumbent MLAs with new comers in the 2022.
Sources say the leadership desisted from a complete overhaul as they feared widespread rebellion may dent its prospects, The high command is learnt to have decided to tread cautiously and deployed seniors to negotiate with MLAs like former chief minister Jagdish shettar and Eshwarappa, who were asked to may way for new faces.
While BJP has never secured even a simple majority in the 224 member assembly , it formed the government through either coalitions or by ge3tting MLAs from other parties to defect through an exercise called ‘Operation Lotus’. Its best performance was 110 seats in 2008.
