The Hindu : Confrontation between Bangarappa, son imminent

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Confrontation between Bangarappa, son imminent

By Our Staff Correspondent

SHIMOGA, MARCH 25. An open confrontation between the former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa, and his son, Kumar Bangarappa, appears imminent with the latter resigning from the BJP apparently in protest against the denial of the party ticket to contest from the Sorab Assembly constituency.

This sudden development is seen as a setback to the senior Bangarappa who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections as the BJP candidate from the Shimoga constituency.

He has introduced his other son, Madhu Bangarappa, to politics by getting him to contest from the Sorab constituency on the BJP ticket in place of Mr. Kumar Bangarappa.

Mr. Bangarappa introduced Mr. Kumar Bangarappa to politics when the latter was elected to the Lok Sabha in the 1996 elections. Mr. Kumar Bangarappa has represented the Sorab constituency on two occasions.

He resigned as the Minister of State for Town Panchayats and Municipal Councils and also from the Congress following his father's decision to join the BJP.

Mr. Kumar Bangarappa remained incommunicado till he announced his decision to severe his links with the BJP. It was apparent that his supporters and admirers got him around to participate in a meeting at his native place, Sorab, today.

Addressing the gathering, he criticised the BJP leaders for their "manipulative'' politics and asked his supporters and admirers to see that the "communal BJP'' did not enter their doorsteps.

Without naming the Congress, he promised to strengthen the party that had dominated Sorab in the last 30 years.

Rumours are rife that feelers are being sent to Mr. Kumar Bangarappa to return to the Congress with the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Kagodu Thimmappa, reportedly taking the initiative in the matter. Even if he agrees to rejoin the Congress he may not be inclined to contest against his brother, Mr. Madhu Bangarappa. Instead, he may offer himself to contest from the Hosnagar constituency, which was represented by a close relative of his, G.D. Narayanappa, in the dissolved Assembly. Our Bangalore Special Correspondent reports:

Mr. Bangarappa has declined to comment on the decision taken by Mr. Kumar Bangarappa to resign from the party within days of his entry to it.

When contacted by The Hindu, Mr. Bangarappa said he would not like to say anything on whether Mr. Kumar Bangarappa would contest the Assembly elections.

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