Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai
Credit: PTI File Photo
Bengaluru: The BJP on Saturday nominated former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai's son Bharath Bommai as its candidate for the Shiggaon bypoll, which is scheduled on November 13.
This takes politics to its third generation in the Bommai household, starting from S R Bommai, a former chief minister himself.
Basavaraj, now the Haveri MP, had ruled out his son's candidature. However, former minister Murugesh Nirani's reluctance to contest is said to have made Basavaraj reconsider Bharath.
Bharath (35), got an MBA from the Singapore Management University and an engineering degree from Purdue University in the US. Bharath is involved in various entrepreneurial ventures: AutoTech Engineers, Valtek Corporation, Ashwa Energy and so on.
Earlier in the day, Basavaraj told reporters in New Delhi that he had requested the BJP central leadership not to field his son for "personal reasons".
If Bharath wins Shiggaon, he will succeed his father who represented the constituency since 2008. The bypoll is necessitated due to Basavaraj's election as Haveri MP.
Speaking earlier, Basavaraj said the Shiggaon candidate will be finalised based on the ability to win.
Hanumanthu gets Sandur ticket Karnataka
BJP's ST Morcha president Bangaru Hanumanthu was given the Sandur bypoll ticket on Saturday. Associated with the BJP since 2004 Hanumanthu (42) is originally from Kudligi. He holds BA and B.Ed degrees. Bangaru tried a career in films. He is billed as the lead actor and producer of Mana Mechida Bangaru (2015).