Karnataka BJP in turmoil after first list of candidates comes out: report

Bengaluru: After the BJP’s list of candidates for assembly polls in Karnataka came out last night, the state leadership is facing threats of defection and rebellion.

Senior leader Laxman Savadi snapped relation with the saffron party after having not found place in the list.

Savadi told media that he is a self-respecting politician who will not ago around with a begging bowl, adding that he is acting under nobody’s influence.

NDTV, quoting sources, reported that the leader was in talks with the Congress.

DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Congress chief, denied having in touch with the former BJP leader.

Laxman Savadi, who is known for his appeal and leadership skills, is close to former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

A powerful Lingayat leader, Savadi helped the BJP undermine the Congress-Janata Dal Secular government, enabling mass defections, according to the report.

Laxman Savadi became a major figure in state BJP, nevertheless he was caught watching porn in the assembly in 2012.

Though Savadi failed to get into the list, his former Congress rival in 2018 polls Mahesh Kumathahalli is in the BJP list.

Several other defectors made it to the list at the cost of sitting MLAs.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar had flown to Delhi after having not found his name in the list.

Shettar according to sources will return empty handed as the central leadership is less likely to accept his pleas.

Shettar, however, has ruled out entering the fray as an independent candidate.

After reportedly receiving hints of non-inclusion in the list, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa announced retirement from electoral politics.

The BJP announced first list of 189 candidates, dropping several of its sitting MLAs while including turncoats from the Opposition Congress.

It is reported that PM Modi directed the state leadership to drop ‘tainted, jaded and adjustment politics’.