Mysuru: Former minister for forests and small scale industries minister, C H Vijayshankar, severed his links with the BJP on Saturday, ending months of speculation about his exit as he felt he was humiliated by senior leaders of the party after his defeat in Hassan in 2014 Lok Sabha elections
Mr Vijayshankar, who was heading the farmers’ wing of the state unit of BJP, did not show up at the farmers’ convention addressed by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in Mysuru on Thursday. Efforts to persuade him to continue in the party proved futile as he was evidently miffed with senior leaders who not only ignored him after he was defeated by JD (S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda in Hassan Lok Sabha constituency in 2014 but also tried to scuttle his efforts to secure a ticket and contest from Periyapatna Assembly constituency, and force him to contest against CM Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari in next year’s elections, according to sources in the party.
A recent picture of him with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah triggered speculation that he would quit the BJP and join Congress though Mr Siddaramaiah denied reports of the meeting in Mysuru.
On Saturday, Mr Vijayshankar told the media: “I have sent my resignation letter to state BJP president B. S. Yeddyurappa. I am tired of internal bickering in BJP. I have told whatever I had to over the last six months to BJP leaders. I have nothing more to tell.”
Mr Vijayshankar represented Mysuru Lok Sabha constituency for two consecutive terms and Hunsur Assembly constituency twice.
