Spirited B.S. Yeddyurappa rediscovers his edge

Shimoga: With just days left for the end of the poll campaign in Shimoga, former chief minister and BJP candidate B.S.Yeddyurappa who is contesting the parliament polls for the first time, has gone far ahead of his opponents – Mr V. Manjunath Bhandary from the Congress and Mrs Geetha Shivarajkumar from the JD(S) – in the race to reach parliament.

Mr Yeddyurappa while joining the BJP in January this year, was not particular about entering national politics. But now, the BJP and Mr Yeddyurappa seem determined to ensure that the party regains its foothold in the district which it lost in the 2013 assembly polls.

State and national BJP leaders are aware of the results of the 2009 parliament elections when with the help of Mr.Yeddyurappa and other senior party leaders, the BJP won 19 seats in Karnataka. Going by his popularity in spite of facing allegations when he was chief minister, Mr.Yeddyurappa still remains a mass leader who can attract a good number of votes.

District BJP leaders including Rajya Sabha member Ayanur Manjunath and former deputy chief minister K.S.Eshwarappa are backing Mr Yeddyurappa to the hilt as they know he is the best candidate they can have.

The development works and programmes Mr Yeddyurappa gave to the state when he was chief minister are proving to be blessing for him in his bid to win the Shimoga seat.

There are also leaders who feel Mr Yeddyurappa may be in for a bigger role at the Centre if the BJP led NDA wins the polls.