Mayor poll loss: Ashok's sway negligible

Bengaluru: Former Minister and BJP MLA, R. Ashok’s hold over the Bengaluru city BJP has come in for questioning after the party lost the Mayoral poll and performed badly in the recent  Assembly elections.

Most BJP MLAs have been keeping a distance from him after the Assembly polls and Union Minister, D.V. Sadananda Gowda is now believed to be opposing his hold over the party’s affairs in Bengaluru.  

Mr. Gowda, who represents Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, is reportedly arguing for collective leadership of the city BJP, and has even suggested to state party chief,  B S. Yeddyurappa that it take a cue from the way the Congress runs its city unit.  

Sources close to Mr. Gowda say he is against Mr. Ashok interfering in the affairs of the BJP in both Bengaluru North and Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha constituencies. “He would like the respective MPs or MLAs to take decisions regarding the constituencies after discussion with the party cadres. Why should the party allow one individual to control its affairs in Bengaluru?” sources added.

It is said that although Mr. Gowda and most city MLAs were not in favour  of  fielding candidates for the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor,  Mr. Ashok had decided to go ahead after convincing Mr.Yeddyurappa to go along with him .  And it’s claimed that  Mr. Gowda was kept completely in the dark about the  party’s choice of  candidates.