BJP gets Ramaswamy but will voters back him?

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: The ruling BJP may have got a prize catch in the form of A.T. Ramaswamy, MLA from Arkalgud Assembly constituency in Hassan District, who is considered one of the most respected MLAs but the big question is whether he can pull off a dramatic victory in the Vokkaliga dominated constituency in the May 10 Assembly polls? Last week, Ramaswamy, a three-time MLA, resigned from the Assembly and joined the BJP.

His induction is considered good for the saffron party due to his clean image. His report on the encroachment of government land in the State had made waves but no government in the past has acted on the report yet obviously due to pressure from various quarters.

The BJP has already opened its account in Hassan District, a strong fortress of the JD(S) led by former PM and patriarch of the regional party, H.D.Deve Gowda. It would now like to strengthen its foothold in the district. Ramaswamy made up his mind to quit the JD(S) after former CM, H.D.Kumaraswamy declared former BJP leader A.

Manju as the party candidate for Arkalgud. Since then he had distanced himself from party activities and decided to join either the Congress Party or BJP. Ramaswamy is an honest politician who belongs to the Vokkaliga community but the problem is acceptability. The people of Arkalgud are used to voting for only two parties - Congress or JD(S).

Now, they have to think about whether they must vote for him or exercise their franchise in favor of former Congress and BJP leader, A. Manju. The induction of Ramaswamy into the saffron party has evoked a mixed response among the people. Some say that they would have supported him if he had contested as an independent candidate.