edited by: Revathi Hariharan
Last Update: April 04, 2023, 13:23 IST
File Photo of Ayanur Manjunath Left with KS Eshwarappa while meeting Amit Shah (Facebook/ Ayanur-Manjunath)
In fresh trouble for the ruling party, BJP MLC Ayanur Manjunath has threatened to contest as a rebel candidate if the BJP fields former minister KS Eshwarappa or his son KE Kantesh from the Shivamogga constituency.
Before the elections in Karnataka, BJP seems to be struggling with infighting in Shivamogga, the home district of former CM and party leader BS Yeddyurappa.
In fresh trouble for the ruling party, BJP MLC Ayanur Manjunath has threatened to contest as a rebel candidate if the BJP fields former minister KS Eshwarappa or his son KE Kantesh from the Shivamogga constituency.
Manjunath says he plans to resign as MLC and contest against KS Eshwarappa from the same seat. The party is now struggling to resolve the tension between the two senior leaders.
Manjunath has alleged that BJP MLA KS Eshwarappa used foul language against him only because he is also a candidate from Shivamogga constituency.
He also claims that the BJP is not taking his wish seriously, and hence would be ready to resign to join any party that allows him to show his strength to contest elections against KS Eshwarappa or his son. Will give ticket for
“There is no indication that if I am with the BJP, I will get a ticket. Instead I’m seeing various lists with the names of someone’s children. Also, after seeing all the statements made by Eshwarappa in the recent press conference, I have decided to contest against him.”
If Manjunath sticks to his plan to resign before completing his MLC term, he will become the third BJP MLC to resign after Puttanna and Baburao Chinchansur. Both had resigned last month to join the Congress party.
Meanwhile, the BJP leader said that the party has taken note of the infighting and the issue will be discussed in the party forum. The BJP may warn both the senior leaders to resolve the dispute within themselves instead of bringing it out in the open as it may harm the party’s image ahead of elections.
“As the party gets stronger, there will be many candidates. Naturally, Manjunath is also an aspirant. Both Eshwarappa and Manjunath are senior BJP leaders. So it is common to see competition among the candidates. The dispute will be resolved after the final decision is taken by the party.
“The party high command has taken note of the infighting. BJP does not promote all these. Such issues need to be discussed in the party forum.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, however, did not want to comment on the infighting. She specifically said that the party has many MLAs and candidates and hence it will not be able to give tickets to all. “Some people planning to leave the party will have no bearing on the party’s performance in the elections,” Bommai reportedly said.
“There are 125 MLAs now. And somewhere there are two contenders for the same seat. Not everyone can possibly get tickets. Few people leaving the party will not affect us,” said CM Bommai.
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