Poll defeat turns heat on Somashekar, Simha

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT
Mysuru

Co-Operation and District- In-Charge Minister S.T. Somashekar and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha are reported to be in the dock over the defeat of a BJP candidate in the election to Legislative Council from the South Graduates' Constituency.

The high command is learnt to have asked for an explanation from the duo over the defeat of BJP candidate, M.V. Ravishankar, who lost by a huge margin to Madhu Madegowda of Congress Party. Based on the complaint from the defeated candidate and also inputs from the grassroots workers, the Delhi leaders were reportedly upset about losing the seat despite having six MLAs and one MP.

In the recent Council polls, Madhu won by over 12,000 votes against the BJP and it was after 40 years, the Congress won this seat. The leaders of Congress put up concerted efforts to win the election. On the other hand, the BJP has become a divided house with no bonhomie among legislators.

Except for the routine campaign by certain ministers, the entire election was left to party workers to manage. The BJP MLAs and MP never worked in tandem in favour of Ravishankar and he was made a 'scapegoat' in their fight for prestige.

Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his participation in International Day of Yoga celebrations in Mysuru on June 21, the focus of the entire BJP team went towards that and they hardly took part in the campaign. The workers were feeling sorry for having lost this seat which had been held by the BJP for 18 years and 12 years by Janata Dal (Secular) but the district leaders were not having any pains of losing this seat.

The main reason for this has been that Ravishankar was given a ticket on the recommendation of the BJP National Organising Secretary B.L. Santosh, who is not liked by most state leaders due to his proximity with the Delhi leaders. The traditional BJP votes went to Madhu Madegowda, just because they did not like Ravishankar.

In the name of preparations for Modi's event, most of the MLAs and ministers kept away from the campaign. There were hardly any leaders canvassing for Ravishankar in the four districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajangar and Hassan. All these points have reportedly reached the high command in the form of a report, based on which BJP National President J.P. Nadda is likely to question Simha and Somashekar for their lack of interest in securing the South Graduates' constituency.

The BJP National General Secretary and In-Charge of Karnataka Arun Singh had been asked to seek a report from State BJP President Nalinkumar Kateel for having lost two seats that too in the BJP stronghold. The BJP workers privately admitted that most of the leaders stayed away from the campaign as they did not want Ravishankar to win. Despite putting each karyakartha for 20 votes, many people voted for Madhu because there was no earnest appeal by local leaders as their campaigning lacked vigour.