Sidelined Asnotikar may join Congress soon

Hubballi: Former Minister, Anand Asnotikar seems to be readying to severe ties with the BJP as the local unit of the party in Karwar-Ankola Assembly constituency is in no mood to see  him represent it. 

The BJP leader,  who had gone into hibernation after his defeat against independent MLA, Satish Sail in the last Assembly poll, has reportedly been knocking on the doors of both the BJP and Congress for a ticket in the coming elections. Although the JD(S) is prepared to welcome him into its fold, he plans to contest as independent if neither party wants him, according to sources. Mr Asnotikar had won the  Assembly by-poll in December 2008 after he left the Congress to join the BJP and went on to become a Minister. 

Not giving away anything as yet, he  announced after a meeting of his supporters, that he would disclose his next move in the next 10 or 12 days. 
But not only are the local BJP workers against his candidature, Union Minister, Ananth Kumar Hegde has also labelled him a “dissatisfied soul,” causing much anger among his supporters.

“BJP leaders have forgotten my contribution to the  party gaining a majority in the 2008 elections. Now, the state and central leaders of the party want me to get the blessings of district leaders in Karwar , who have been evading me for the last three months. I will take an appropriate decision about my future within the next few days,” Mr Asnotikar said after a meeting with his loyalists.

Interestingly, he heaped praise on district and Industries Minister, R V Deshpande, calling him a “model politician,” at the meeting and made veiled criticism of Mr Hegde.