Bickering in BJP sparks protest against Shobha Karandlaje’s candidature in Udupi-Chikmagalur

However, BJP sources claimed that the leaders who were nursing the hope to contest the general elections from the constituency were orchestrating the protests.

According to sources: “The protests erupted after reports that the high command was likely to bless the incumbent parliamentarian with a ticket from the same seat for the third consecutive term.”

“The disappointed aspirants are said to be instigating party workers to launch protest against the sitting MP and the Union minister in Chikkamagaluru. Further, some cadres are also upset regarding her involvement in some issues regarding the affairs of the party,” claimed sources in the BJP.

Terming these protests as a conspiracy to defame her, Karandlaje exuded confidence that the high command would give her the chance to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Udupi Chikmagalur constituency.

Meanwhile, BJP’s former national general secretary CT Ravi on Monday, 11 March, appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise, considering the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of the candidate.

Also Read: Will Dr CN Manjunath be BJP’s trump card against DK Suresh?

Why BJP workers are protesting?

With less than two months left for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s Chikkamagaluru wing is staging protests opposing the candidacy of the incumbent MP Karandlaje.

She is hoping for a hattrick win from the same seat in 2024.

The protesters initiated their campaign by writing a letter to the high command urging them not to field Karandlaje in the Udupi Chikmagalur seat.

Further, the party workers staged a protest ‘Go Back Shobha Karandlaje’ in front of the party’s office in Chikkamagaluru.

Pointing out the factors that led to the protest, a former MLA of the BJP told South First: “The party workers are upset with Shobha Krandlaje for not taking them into confidence and not addressing their grievances since she was elected. She also did not campaign in a single Assembly constituency during the 2023 state Assembly polls.”

“There are no qualms about the development works initiated by the Union minister. However, the local workers strongly feel that Shobha is an outsider and unaware of the issues concerning the segment.”

“The workers are opposing the fielding of an outsider for three consecutive terms in the constituency. Hence, they are demanding the high command to field a local candidate for the upcoming election,” detailed the BJP leader.

However, he did not divulge the details of the people who organised the protests.

Also Read: JD(S) pushes for 4 seats in Karnataka ahead of Lok Sabha elections

Who is behind the protests?

Meanwhile, some of the BJP leaders pointed out that ticket aspirants from the party were behind the dissent that broke out against the incumbent MP.

Apart from Karandlaje, former ministers CT Ravi and Pramod Madhwaraj, and former MLA DN Jeevaraj are also aspirants for the party ticket from Udupi Chikmagalur seat.

The district-level committees of the BJP (for Lok Sabha polls) have shortlisted these names and sent them to the high command. The high command is said to be in favour of giving the ticket to the incumbent MPs in most of the segments, including Udupi Chikmagalur.

On anonymity, a BJP leader told South First: “The identity of the people behind the protests is a known truth to every party worker in Chikkamagaluru. It is none other than the former BJP national general secretary and others.”

“He met the high command and demanded a ticket for him to contest from the constituency. The high command has also given him a message about the candidature in this segment. He appears to be disappointed after losing out on all the posts and positions in the party,” added the BJP leader.

The protest reached an extent that Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya’s elder cousin Sunil Lakya, who is also a BJP worker, posted against Karandlaje on social networking sites.

Following the protests, the party observers including former home minister and MLA Arga Jnanendra and Bhanuprakash held talks with the local leaders and disgruntled party workers. The duo assured them of submitting a report on their issue to the high command.   

Also Read: BJP distances itself from Hegde’s “will amend Constitution” remark

‘Conspiracy over party ticket’

Expressing anguish over the protests in Chikkamagaluru, Karandlaje asserted that a conspiracy was being hatched against her over the party ticket in the Udupi Chikmagalur seat.

Karandlaje told reporters on Sunday, 10 March: “The high command will collect the information about us only when there is an opposition against us. The opposition from our party workers has helped me a lot. If not, people will think that was confined to party works.”

“The party leaders are collecting information about why there is an opposition to my candidacy. Because of that, they will know about the support for me and my development work. The poll period will be very sensitive. I am confident that the party will bless me with a ticket, considering my work,” Karandlaje exuded confidence.

She continued: “I am happy that I have served honestly in whatever posts and positions the party and the government had given me. The party will provide opportunity to those who have worked honestly.”

“The high command will identify our efforts and works. You can consider mine as an example. The conspiracy which is being hatched against me will work out in my favour. I have carried out a lot of development work. I will seek votes based on my works,” added the Union minister.

She further said: “I will contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party will announce the ticket in a day or two. I will abide by the party’s decision.”

“The constituency has witnessed a sea of development works in all the sectors including roads and rail network. Development has reached every village. I am confident that the party will sweep Karnataka by achieving a 100 percent win,” added Karandlaje.

Also Read: BJP hints at candidacy of erstwhile Mysuru royal over Pratap Simha

CT Ravi hints at dissent

After the forgettable loss in the 2023 Assembly polls, Ravi has reportedly approached the party high command demanding him ticket from the Udupi Chikmagalur constituency. However, the party is said to be keen on fielding sitting MP Karandlaje.

With the party likely to give the ticket to the Union minister, Ravi is said to be not only upset but also disgruntled over the state leadership, claimed sources.

On anonymity, a former BJP MLA told South First: “Ravi is unhappy with the party’s leadership as he is not holding any position in the party. He even lost the Assembly polls. Then, he was relieved from the party’s responsibilities as well.”

“He has put all the efforts to get the party ticket for the Parliament elections. But the party is not keen to field him for various reasons including opposition from the state leadership,” added the BJP leader.

Ravi had earlier hinted that there were some issues going on in the state unit of the party.

Ravi told reporters on 7 March: “There are a lot of emotions to express but this is not the right time. Our main goal is to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.”

“I have swallowed several issues in the interest of the party and nation. It is not possible to keep it inside for a longer day, I will talk about everything when the right time comes.”

“I will talk in detail after the Parliament elections about how a section of leaders acted during the Assembly polls. There is a lot to talk about after the Lok Sabha polls. At present, our lone goal is to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third term,” Ravi said.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)