The ensuing byelection for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council is causing some worry in the State BJP camp as the party’s strength is all set to decline.
Four seats in the Rajya Sabha from the State and seven seats in the Legislative Council from the Legislative Assembly constituency are up for grabs in the byelection expected in June.
The byelection is to fill up the vacancies created in the Rajya Sabha with the term of former external affairs minister S M Krishna and B K Hariprasad of the Congress, former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Rama Jois and Prabhakar Kore of the BJP coming to an end. With its current strength of 122 in the 225-member Legislative Assembly, the ruling Congress can bag two seats and the BJP, with its strength of 44, can retain one.
In all likelihood, there will be a keen contest for the remaining one seat. At least 45 first preference votes are needed to win a seat.
The BJP has almost given up the chances of renominating Rama Jois and Prabhakar Kore.
Members who will complete their term in the Council are leader of the opposition D V Sadananda Gowda, Shivayogi Swamy, Bharathi Shetty and Siddaraju of the BJP, M V Rajashekaran of the Congress, K V Narayana Swamy, M C Nanaiah and Puttanna of the JD(S).
BJP is in a position to win just two seats with some understanding with the Independents and JD(S).
Thirty-two votes are needed for ensuring the victory of a candidate. According to insiders, Bharathi Shetty and Siddaraju are unlikely to be nominated by the saffron party.
The BJP is mulling to give one slot to former Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa and the other seat to D V Sadananda Gowda, if he loses the Lok Sabha polls.
Shivajogi Swamy is likely to be renominated, if Sadananda Gowda wins the Lok Sabha polls.
“However, the issue has not been discussed as all the attention now is on the Lok Sabha election results. Any concrete discussions or developments in this regard is expected only after May 16,” BJP State General Secretary and Chikmagalur MLA C T Ravi said.