The Hindu : Karnataka News : Dissidence haunts BJP in Jagalur byelection

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Friday, Mar 25, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Dissidence haunts BJP in Jagalur byelection

H.S. Narasimha Kumar

Party leader Rajesh files nomination as independent

Former Congress MLA Ramachandra is BJP's official candidate
Leaders are trying to convince Rajesh to withdraw his nomination papers

DAVANGERE: Filing of nomination papers by Rajesh, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, as an independent candidate for the byelection to Jagalur Assembly seat has created anxiety among the party workers. They feel that if Mr. Rajesh does not withdraw from the contest by Friday, the last day to do so, it would be tough for the party's official candidate to win in the byelection.

Efforts are on by the BJP leaders to convince Mr. Rajesh to withdraw. They have reportedly promised him that he would be given some plum post, if he withdraws his nomination papers and works for the success of the official candidate, according to party sources.

Allegation

S.V. Ramachandra, Chairman of the Hutti Gold Mines, had been elected from Jagalur in the last Assembly elections on Congress ticket by defeating the then BJP candidate, Rajesh, with a margin of over 2,800 votes.

Mr. Rajesh, who had opposed Mr. Ramachandra being taken into the BJP, had also insisted that the latter should not be given party ticket. Mr. Rajesh had said Mr. Ramachandra could, however, be given some important position in the party. Now that the party fielded Mr. Ramachandra for the same Jagalur seat, Mr. Rajesh filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate on Wednesday stating that the party leaders had neglected his loyalty for several years. The party leaders contended that Mr. Ramachandra had been assured of certain benefits, including ticket for contesting the byelection.

Mr. Ramachandra, according to party sources, is also worried about his success against Mr. Rajesh.

Mr. Ramachandra has reportedly asked G.M. Siddeshwar, Davangere MP, and S.A. Ravindranath and Renukacharya, Ministers from the district, to direct Mr. Rajesh to withdraw from the contest. But Mr. Rajesh has reportedly refused to withdraw.

Huchavanahalli Manjunath from the Janata Dal (Secular) and Devendrappa from the Congress are also in the fray.

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