Defeat of BJP candidates in Belagavi, Mysuru shock CM, BSY

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The defeat of the BJP’s Council poll candidates in both Belagavi and Mysuru, has left state leaders shocked. The defeat happened despite the saffron party having their MPs and several MLAs in both districts.

A shocked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and former CM and veteran BJP leader, B.S.Yediyurappa, held talks on Wednesday to know the reasons for the BJP defeat in both districts in spite of the party having a good number of eligible voters.

Interestingly, while Lakhan Jarkiholi, an independent candidate spoiled the victory chances of the official BJP candidate Mahantesh Kavatagimath in Belagavi, C.N. Manjegowda, a Janata Dal (Secular) candidate ended the chances of the saffron party candidate Raghu Kautilya, in Mysuru.

Both Jarkiholi and Manjegowda got elected to the Upper House in the second round of counting of votes. In both places, Congress candidates, Dr Thimmaiah in Mysuru and Channaraj Hattiholi in Belagavi, secured a berth in the Upper House with the help of first preference votes.

“I met the CM this morning to discuss the defeat of BJP candidates in Mysuru and Belagavi. Bommai expressed shock and dismay over the results, and has sought a detailed report. The presence of Lakhan Jarkiholi in the fray in Belagavi was also discussed. Necessary action will be taken on receipt of the report”, Yediyurappa said in Belagavi.

Conspiracy or casual approach?

In Belagavi and Mysuru, the BJP has its MPs, Mangala Suresh Angadi and Pratap Simha, and several MLAs and MLCs. Reports are doing the rounds that it could be a conspiracy or casual approach on the part of MPs and MLCs which led to the defeats with some leaders likely to face the ire of the high command for not working during the election.

Shettar unhappy?

It is learnt that former CM Jagadish Shettar is unhappy that his brother Pradeep Shettar could win from Hubballi-Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri constituencies only after the second round of counting of preferential votes, whereas Congress candidate, Salim Ahmed managed to win in the first round. This was because of a rebel BJP candidate, Mallikarjun who took away around 1,000 votes which would otherwise have gone to the BJP. Shettar wants to know why party leaders did not take steps to make the rebel retire from the fray.

The leadership has asked district in-charge ministers to find out the reasons for the defeat of candidates in Belagavi and Mysuru districts, and the reason why Pradeep Shettar had to face a rebel candidate in a BJP stronghold.