Its Sanganna Karadi again from Koppal

Koppal: Despite  stiff opposition from the Sangh Parivar, the BJP on Friday decided to field its sitting MP,  Sanganna Karadi from Koppal this Lok Sabha poll.

Although the renomination of 16 sitting MPs was announced by the BJP in its first list, the fact that his name did not figure in it had given Mr Karadi and his supporters some anxious moments. The MP was seen making several visits to state BJP chief, B S Yeddyurappa’s home to lobby for a ticket.

But, according to sources, local RSS leaders were against his candidature and had put pressure on BJP national organising secretary, B L Santosh to give the Koppal ticket to a RSS man, C V Chandrasekhar. Another reason why the BJP had kept Mr Karadi’s name on hold was because of speculation that Kuruba strongman and former Chief Minister ,  Siddaramaiah may contest from the constituency dominated by his community.  The saffron party was considering fielding its senior leader, B Sriramulu if the Congress fielded Mr Siddaramaiah, but when it opted for zilla panchayat member and Kuruba leader, Rajshekhar Hitnal, instead it decided to go ahead with Mr Karadi, according to sources. (Mr Rajshekhar  happens to be son of Mr Basavaraj Hitnal, who lost to Mr Karadi in 2014). And luckily for the MP, he also had Mr Yeddyurappa’s backing.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA B Nagendra, is said to be disappointed with the BJP’s decision to field Mr Raja Amaresh Nayaka from Raichur (ST) constituency as it had promised the ticket to his brother,  Venkatesh Prasad, who joined it recently.  In fact, Mr Prasad had expected the Ballari ticket, but the BJP chose to field Congress MLA,  Ramesh Jarakiholi’s relative, Devendrappa from the constituency.