Somanna wants another Legislative Council term

BENGALURU: Former minister V Somanna, who had drifted away from former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, has returned to the Lingayat strongman’s camp soon after the leader’s appointment as president of state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party in a bid to gain another term as Member of the Legislative Council.

Mr Somanna and Mr Ayanur Manjunath, who will complete his term as member of Rajya Sabha in June 2016, are lobbying for tickets ahead of forthcoming polls to the Legislative Council. While the BJP would be able to win one seat on its own, party leaders would have to seek the support of legislators of Janata Dal (Secular) to win the second seat.

Mr. Somanna has convinced Union minister H.N. Ananth Kumar and former deputy chief minister R. Ashok and other leaders of the core committee, but could find it tough secure the blessings of Mr Yeddyurappa.