India
Even before BJP could come out of its loss post the death of Union Minister HN Ananth Kumar who is a sitting Member of Lok Sabha, Congress has made its plan to snatch this prestigious seat from BJP. The coalition has hinted that it will field Priya Krishna, a two time MLA.
Even before BJP could come out of its loss post the death of Union Minister HN Ananth Kumar who is a sitting Member of Lok Sabha, Congress has made its plan to snatch this prestigious seat from BJP. The coalition has hinted that it will field Priya Krishna, a two time MLA.
Priya Krishna had shot to fame as one of the youngest and richest MLAs with assets worth over Rs 600 crore. He was elected to Karnataka Assembly from Govindraj Nagar in 2008. However, in this assembly election, he lost to BJP's V Sommanna this time. But now his name being floated is a blessing in disguise as Bengaluru South has an equally good number of Vokkaliga voters who can make or break a candidates fate.
When asked about his desire to contest as MP from Lok Sabha in Bengaluru South, Priya Krishna says he is yet to come out of the defeat in MLA elections and is introspecting the situation and loss. "Frankly speaking, I have no clue, as of now, I am only meeting my voters and touring my Govindrajnagar assembly segment. It is left to the party to decide on the MP seat," he said.
However his father and former Housing Minister, M Krishnappa confirmed about Priya Krishna's candidacy from Bengaluru South. "Three months back, Karnataka Congress Incharge KC Venugopal and Ruling Party leader in Assembly Siddaramaiah has decided to field my son. I expressed that if the party decides this, I have no objection", confirmed Krishnappa.
JDS which is a conses partner of Congress also confirmed about leaving the MP seat to Congress but refused to comment about Priya Krishna. Tanveer Ahmed, JDS national spokesperson says. "The seat-sharing agreement as per coalition dharma will be respected and as coalition partner, we will support Congress' pick,"
He further added that, as JDS also is planning to pick its candidate from Bengaluru North as public sector units like BEML and HAL employees are waiting to avenge their humiliation and teach a lesson to BJP, JDS will finalise its candidate in coming weeks. However, this JDS minority wing is bargaining to filed a Muslim
"There are two leaders, JDS Minority president Mohid Altaf and I are aspirants and we will discuss with our patriarch HD Deve Gowda on this matter," stated Ahmed.
Bengaluru South rejected Congress: BJP
BJP leaders are hoping that the sympathy will steamroll its opposition and continue its 40-year-old trend by retaining the seat.
"Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, widow of HN Ananth Kumar is a social activist, straight forward and intelligent. She never showed her inclination towards power. She just remained as a normal housewife and mingled with people. In case party decides, she will be a better bet." said Dr Vaman Acharaya, BJP Karnataka unit spokesperson.
In his opinion, Acharya says, the Vokkaliga community to which HD Deve Gowda belongs, can easily win in Hassan and Mandya but they cannot replicate the same here. For Congress, they have been out of power in Bengaluru South from last 40 years. The leaders including V Somanna who was in Congress then, M Krishnappa, Krishna Byre Gowda and now Nandan Nilekani all lost as Ananth Kumar defeated them comfortably.
"Even before Ananth Kumar, TR Shamanna a Janata Parivar candidate, Venkatagiri Gowda and Krishna Iyer from BJP ensured Congress' defeat," mentioned Acharaya.
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