BENGALURU: The anguish and anger of those denied tickets in the BJP and Congress spilled on to the streets on Friday with a BJP ticket aspirant burning effigies of party leaders and an aspirant from Congress vowing to ensure the defeat of his own party.
The rebellion threatens to spoil the party for the two major political parties in the fray.
Hundreds of followers of the aspirants, who were denied tickets, staged a protest outside MLC V Somanna’s residence, Dasarahalli MLA Muniraju’s residence and at other places. Former BJP councillor from Rajagopalanagar ward in Dasarahalli constituency H N Gangadhar staged a protest. He removed banners and buntings from the BJP office, which he had built over the years. “I have been with the BJP for the past 27 years. It is unfortunate that a ticket was not given to a committed worker,” he said.
“Gangadhar is likely to join JD(S) as he met former CM H D Kumaraswamy on Friday. His votes will go to the JD(S),” a BJP member said.
Two former BJP councillors, Roopa Devi and Roopa Ramesh, who represented Bilekahalli and Agrahara Dasarahalli wards and were denied tickets, are said to have left the party.
Many supporters of Chandrashekariah, former BJP councillor from Hampinagar ward in Vijayanagar constituency, staged a protest in front of Somanna’s house. Chandrashekariah said that in 2010 he had won the elections by 1,050 votes.
“I shall wait till Sunday evening. If they do not give me a ticket from BJP, I shall file my nomination as a rebel independent candidate. I will not join any other party. I have supporters who will vote for me,” he said.
Trouble in Congress
All is not well between former Subashnagar ward councillor T Mallesh from Congress and MLA of his constituency, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
“This means Mallesh will not get a ticket and will contest from another party or as an independent. He might not win. But he will snatch some votes from Congress,” a Congress leader said.
Ramalinga Reddy said they get applications from six to seven aspirants from each ward and not all can get tickets.
Sources from the BJP said this election would be a big fight between the BJP and Congress. “JD(S) is getting the benefit of rebellion candidates from these parties. It is the JD(S) that benefitting more. JD(S) will not come to power in BBMP. But there are chances of it getting more seats,” he said.
Sources from BJP said that this BBMP election is definitely a big fight between the two. “Anything can happen. Rebellion in the Congress and the BJP may help the JD(S). JD(S) will not come to power in the BBMP,” he said.