Bengaluru: Proxy fights within BJP for Mayor’s post

BENGALURU: The BJP’s internal fight was out in the open when two of its corporators – Mr Padmanabha Reddy and Mr M. Gautam Kumar – filed nominations for the Mayor’s post. Mr Gautam Kumar maintained that Mr Padmanabha Reddy will withdraw his nomination and declared that he was the official candidate the party high command has chosen.

Though Mr Reddy had lobbied hard for the post, he was asked to withdraw the nomination at the last minute. BJP leaders on the directions of state party president Nalin Kumar Kateel had to convene an urgent meeting a private hotel to pacify Mr Reddy to withdraw his nomination.

One of the major reasons for choosing Mr Gautam Kumar over other veterans is the party’s decision to groom young leaders in the party. The other reason that weighed in Mr Gautam Kumar’s favour was that he happens to be an active member of Sangh Parivar.

Mr Gautam had lobbied for an MLA ticket from Shanthinagar but was denied by the party high command.

The decision is also to make him a popular leader in Shanthinagar and nearby constituencies.

“We want to build the party in the city. That’s why despite many other eligible candidates, our party high command chose Gautam over others,” the source said.

As soon as the results were declared, pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj protested in front of BBMP office saying that Bengaluru is being handed over to a ‘Marvadi’. Mr Gautam belongs to Jain community and Mr Vatal Nagaraj said that this way, BJP party has hurt the sentiment of the Kannadigas.