Turmoil in Tumakuru for BJP as Somanna and Madhuswamy vie for Lok Sabha ticket

Lingayats and Vokkaligas are the dominant communities in this parliamentary constituency.

The spotlight here is on prominent Lingayat leaders V Somanna and JC Madhuswamy.

With the incumbent MP GS Basavaraj stepping aside, the field is wide open, setting the stage for an intense clash of aspirations within the BJP’s ranks.

Somanna, with his deep-rooted connections and decades-long association with the district, presents himself as a formidable contender, demanding recognition from the party high command after being overlooked for a Rajya Sabha nomination.

In contrast, Madhuswamy appears undeterred by past electoral setbacks, mounting a spirited challenge based on his political acumen and unwavering determination to secure the party’s mandate.

Amidst the swirling currents of ambition and intrigue, the Congress is planning to field former judicial officer and former parliamentarian SP Muddahanumegowda, who is yet to join the Congress, from the Tumakuru seat.

On the other hand, the JD(S), who is an alliance with the BJP in Karnataka, has given up the seat to the BJP, considering Somanna’s claims for the party ticket.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP’s GS Basavaraj won against JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda by a margin of over 14,000 votes from Tumakuru constituency.

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Madhuswamy stakes claim

Somanna and Madhuswamy laying strong claims to the Tumakuru Lok Sabha seat ticket has turned out be a challenge for the BJP high command.

After shortlisting the candidates, the party high command was said to be carrying out a survey of the names of the probable candidates in each constituency.

The candidates were likely to be finalised based on the outcome of the survey, claimed sources in the BJP.

The senior leaders are fighting for the ticket from Tumakuru as the incumbent MP GS Basavaraj has announced that he will not be contesting in the Lok Sabha polls.

Admitting that he was an aspirant, Madhuswamy told South First: “I am also an aspirant from Tumakuru. I have spoken with the party high command and state leaders on the matter.”

He added: “There are also several leaders including V Somanna and the [BJP] district president in race for the party ticket. I am taking my chances. It is up to the high command to decide who they will field.”

The former minister also said: “I have also heard that the party is conducting a survey on the probable candidates in all the Lok Sabha seats. The candidates are likely to be finalised based on the outcome of the survey. I am going to fight for the ticket.”

It may be noted that Madhuswamy lost to the JD(S)’s CB Suresh Babu from the Chikkanayakanahalli constituency in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls.

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Also an aspirant, says Somanna

Meanwhile, Sommanna has demanded that the BJP high command “bless” him with the ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Tumakuru constituency.

This development comes against the backdrop of the party high command providing ticket to former MLC Narayan K Bandage for the Rajya Sabha elections instead of Somanna, who was one of the aspirants for the seat.

After he was denied the Rajya Sabha ticket, Somanna is said to have held talks with the BJP high command and the party’s Karnataka unit chief — BY Vijayendra, in this case — on the matter.

In the meantime, Somanna is also said to have begun the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections with temple runs and visiting the prominent mutts in the constituency.

Somanna told South First: “I am also aspirant for Tumakuru parliament constituency. I have already spoken with BY Vijayendra and the party high command on the matter. I held talks with national president JP Nadda as well.”

He added: “I am demanding a ticket. However, it is up to the party high command whether to field me from the Tumakuru seat. If they give me ticket, I will fight the elections. If they don’t, I have no issues.”

Asked whether he had begun preparations in Tumakuru, he said: “I have a special bond with Tumakuru. I have had a relationship with this district and several mutts for over five decades. There is no need for any preparation. Why do I need to prepare?”

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Somanna’s grouse

On missing out on the party ticket for the Rajya Sabha polls from Karnataka, Somanna said: “It is true that I had demanded a Rajya Sabha nomination.”

He added: “I am perplexed why my demands were ignored or sidelined by the high command. I am deeply pained by this attitude.”

Somanna noted: “I am one of the senior leaders in the party, and have successfully handled responsibilities entrusted to me.”

He explained: “The party high command had given me the responsibility of eight Assembly seats during the by-polls. I had ensured party’s victory in the by-polls in Kadur, Koppal, Sindagi, Sindhanur, Basava Kalyana, and other Assembly segments. Meanwhile, BS Yediyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, and other senior leaders camped at Kundagol, but party did not win there.”

Expressing disappointment over the party’s affairs in the state, he alleged that there was a huge communication gap between it and the high command.

“After the demise of Ananth Kumar, who was a Union minister, the gap between the party high command and state unit has increased,” claimed Somanna.

He added: “The high command appointed BY Vijayendra as the state chief. It does not mean that he is a tall person. Importantly, they should understand the reality in the state.”

Somanna also said: “I would also like to make it clear that after Vijayendra succeeded Kateel, he has been managing the state party affairs somewhat well. However, I am deeply pained and perplexed by why a senior leader like me is being meted out such a treatment. I have given everything for the betterment of the party in my over-four-decade-long political career.”

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Congress eyes Muddahanumegowda

In a bid to win the Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress is likely to field former judicial officer and former MP SP Muddahanumegowda from the seat.

Congress leaders are already said to be in talks with Muddahanumegowda, asking him to switch to the grand old party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. He was associated with the BJP until recently.

According to sources: “The Congress coordinators appointed for the Tumakuru Lok Sabha seat have shortlisted the names of probable candidates.”

They added: “Muddahanunegowda is one among the shortlisted candidates. The other leaders are Niketh Raj Mourya, R Narayan, and Santosh Jayachandra — all aspirants for the Tumakuru ticket.”

Muddahanumegowda told South First: “It is too early to comment on the matter. I will shortly join the Congress and then clarify on several issues.”

He did not disclose any more details about him joining the grand old party.

On condition of anonymity, a Congress leader told South First: “Muddahanumegowda will be the inevitable choice for the party in the Lok Sabha polls. He will win the elections irrespective of the party on whose ticket he contests. The party is fielding winnable candidates from all the constituencies.”

The leader added: “He does not have a single corruption allegation on him. He was an able and efficient judicial officer, and also made his name in the politics as well with addressing people issues.”

He also said: “He was betrayed in all the political parties that he joined. He is expected return to the Congress shortly.”