Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018: On Son BY Vijayendra Being Denied BJP Ticket From Varuna, Yeddyurappa Says 'It's My Decision'
"I wholeheartedly stand by and support party's decision in all circumstances. I urge the party cadre to maintain peace and tranquility," said Yeddyurappa's son Vijayendra.
Bengaluru, April 23: The Bharatiya Janata Party's fourth list of candidates for upcoming Karnataka assembly elections was out on Monday sans the name of BY Vijayendra, the son of BJP's chief ministerial face BS Yeddyurappa.
Vijayendra was so far the party's unofficial candidate from Varuna, the seat vacated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his son Dr Yathindra. The poll battle in Varuna was so far being touted as a fight between the sons of Karnataka's two topmost politicians.
Although party is yet to name its candidate from Varuna, the announcement is expected to be made this evening. BJP insiders claim the ticket could be given to former IPS officer L Revannasiddaiah, who resigned from Congress last week.
Confronted with dissent from a section of supporters, Yeddyurappa attempted to placate them claiming that neither the BJP nor the RSS forced him to deny the Varuna ticket to his son. "It is my own decision," he said while speaking to news channels.
On being asked whether the decision was in line of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to keep the party free from nepotism, Yeddyurappa said there are "several father-son combinations in the BJP".
His son Vijayendra said he would support the decision taken by Yeddyurappa and the BJP. Although he could not address the press due to the scores of protesters assembled outside his resident, he issued a statement on social media expressing his support to the party.
"I wholeheartedly stand by and support party's decision in all circumstances. I urge the party cadre to maintain peace and tranquility which is of foremost importance. I will continue to work towards bringing the BJP to power in the state under the leadership of Shri BS Yeddyurappa," he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress accused the BJP of deliberately pulling back Yeddyurappa's son from the Varuna battle, "knowing their imminent defeat". "This shows their lack of confidence to take against Siddaramaiah's popularity," said senior party leader Veerappa Moily.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2018 06:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).