BJP candidate makes futile attempts to pull back JD(S) nominee in Chamarajanagar

BENGALURU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee for Chamarajnagar Assembly constituency V. Somanna reportedly appealed Janata Dal Secular (JDS) nominee Aluru Mallikarjuna Swamy to withdraw from the contest offering inducements. However, Somanna's effort to went in vain as JDS nominee remains in the fray.

Somanna is contesting in two seats, Varuna in Mysuru district and Chamarajnagar. In Varuna, Somanna is contesting against Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while in Chamarajanagar he is facing Congress nominee and former minister Puttaranga Shetty.

Somanna is the incumbent BJP MLA representing Govindaraja Nagar seat in Bengaluru. For Somanna, both Varuna and Chamarajnagar seats are new turfs. Being a Minister for Housing, Somanna is also the district in-charge of Chamarajanagar district.

An audio clip of the conversation between Somanna and Mallikarjuna Swamy went viral and during the conversation, Somanna is asking Mallikarjuna Swamy to withdraw from the contest.

Somanna told Swamy “You are my old friend and I appeal to you to withdraw from the contest first and then we would hold talks later?” Swamy replied “I cannot withdraw.”

Somanna added that the BJP government will come back to powerin the State and he can Swamy to get an official car and all possible help.

Responding to the audio clip, Mallikarjun Swamy confirmed that Somanna had called him and appealed to withdraw from the contest.

Swamy said, “It is true that Somanna had a telephonic chat with me on the last date of withdrawal of nominations.” Swamy alleged that he was offered money and official car. "But I am not a person to be lured by inducements", he said.

Swamy accused Somanna of being an ‘outsider’ to the Chamarajanagar while he, being a local leader, had strive hard to address grievances of the voters of Chamarajanagar.