Keeping my options open, says Channapatna BJP ticket aspirant

Bengaluru: With the date for the byelection to the Channapatna Legislative Assembly seat just announced (November 13), the race to get the NDA ticket for the segment has only intensified.

Amid conflicting statements being issued by leaders of both BJP and JD(S), former minister and BJP MLC C P Yogeshwar, who has represented the constituency in the Assembly five times, expressed confidence in bagging the NDA ticket for the bypoll.

Queried about his statements on contesting as an Independent or jumping ship if denied the ticket, Yogeshwar said that he was keeping his options open, and would take a final decision on October 24, before the last day for the submission of nominations for candidates.

“I am confident I will be the NDA candidate for Channapatna. The BJP central leadership has cleared my name, and I am sure even (Union Minister) H D Kumaraswamy will not take the risk of fielding anybody else,” Yogeshwar told DH.

His supporters, whom he met with on Wednesday, however, urged Yogeshwar to contest as an Independent if he was not fielded as the NDA candidate. “Supporters, party workers and local leaders are exerting pressure on me to contest independently. But I don’t think the party will commit the mistake of denying me the ticket because my name is the only one on all the surveys conducted,” he added.

Yogeshwar, did, however, concede that he would have to consider the sentiments of the local party workers in the event of the NDA fielding another candidate. “I should listen to my supporters and party workers before making my next move; I will wait till October 24,” the former minister said.

Yogheswar’s supporters have launched campaigns on social media to exert pressure on the alliance partners to field him from Channapatna. Meanwhile, photographs of JD(S) leaders have disappeared from the banners and flexes near Yogheshwar’s residence.

Kumaraswamy is understood to have conferred with the BJP central leadership on whom to field from Channapatna in New Delhi before flying to Bengaluru on Wednesday. JD(S) sources said that the NDA candidate is expected to be announced in a few days. While stating that Nikhil Kumaraswamy was unlikely to be the candidate, JD(S) sources also affirmed that Kumaraswamy was unlikely to choose Yogeshwar.

EC objects to Yogeshwar’s lunch

Meanwhile, the Election Commission took objection to the lunch organised by Yogeshwar at Shishira Resorts in Channapatna with local leaders and his supporters. On learning that the lunch featured non-vegetarian dishes, Election Officer P K Binoy took a team to the spot, to verify if non-vegetarian dishes were being served. It turned out they were not, but the kitchen was sealed, nevertheless.