Ramanagara By-Election in Karnataka: BJP Candidate L Chandrashekar Backs Out, Rejoins Congress
The BJP fielded Chandrashekar against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy in Ramanagara bypolls, scheduled to be held on November 3.
Bengaluru, November 1: Just two days before by-election to Ramanagara assembly seat in Karnataka, BJP candidate L Chandrashekar backed out and rejoined the Congress party. The BJP fielded Chandrashekar against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy in Ramanagara bypolls, scheduled to be held on November 3.
Chandrashekhar accused the BJP and its leaders of “abandoning” him after giving him the ticket and announced to return to his “mother party,” the Congress. “After welcoming me to the BJP by giving party flag, Yeddyurappa (state BJP chief) or any other leaders did not join me for campaigning. They neglected Ramanagara due to internal squabble between the leaders within the party,” he told reporters. Congress, BJP Surprised at Announcement of Lok Sabha Bypolls in Karnataka.
Chandrashekhar, son of a senior Congress leader C M Lingappa, had switched his loyalty to the BJP after the Congress left the Ramanagara seat for its ruling coalition partner, JD(S). Within days after joining the BJP, he was announced as the party’s candidate. However, he said he was worried about his political future in the saffron party and hence decided to quit the contest. Karnataka Bypolls 2018 Schedule: Voting in Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya Lok Sabha Constituencies On November 3.
“Saddened about the attitude of leaders and system that exists within the BJP, I have decided not to have any association with the party, I’m returning to my mother party Congress,” Chandrashekhar was quoted as saying. “By remaining in the Congress party, I will extend my support to the coalition candidate…” he added. Reacting to the development, Yeddyurappa accused the Congress of horse trading.
“Shivakumar and brother (D K Suresh) have brought (Chandrashekar) back, by giving money. I got the information just now. God bless them," the state BJP chief said. With Chandrashekhar withdrawing his candidature, Anita Kumaraswamy is expected to achieve an easy victory.
The by-election to Ramanagara was necessitated as it fell vacant after Kumaraswamy gave up the seat preferring Chennapatna, the other seat he had won in the May assembly polls.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 01, 2018 06:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).