As Karnataka gears up full swing for an 'evenly matched' political contest between the political rivals, former BJP Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday indicated that his son B Y Vijayendra may be fielded against Congress strongman and former state CM Siddaramaiah from Varuna constituency for the May 10 Assembly polls.
Congress and JD(S) have announced their first list of candidates even before the elections were announced and Chief Minister Basavraj Bommain have announced that the BJP would release its list “soon” within a week’s time.
The 80-year-old Lingayat caste leader Yediyurappa gave indications that his son Vijayendra who is also state Vice-President may be fielded against the opposition leader Siddaramaiah from Varuan assembly constituency in Mysuru, southern Karnataka.
Varuna is among the key seats to watch out for as Siddaramaiah, the Congress legislature party leader has thrown his hat in the ring in this assembly segment, currently held by his son Yathindra.
Siddaramaiah is an influential leader of the Kurba (Shepherd community) , the third largest caste in the state after Lingayats and Vokaligas.
When asked by newspersons whether Vijayendra would be fielded from Varuna, Yediyurappa said, “Discussions are going on. Siddaramaiah knows that his ground is slipping away. I don't think it is so easy for him. We will field a good candidate. We will give a tough fight. Let's see what happens.”
The BJP veteran and four-time Chief Minister said the decision on whether to give the Varuna ticket to Vijayendra, who is the state BJP vice-president, would be left to the party's central leadership.
BJP General Secretary and former state Minister CT Ravi had earlier expressed unhappiness and objected to “premature” announcement for assembly candidates by Yediyurappa saying it was the prerogative of the Parliamentary Board.
On his part, Siddaramaiah told newspersons that he was not bothered about the candidate who would contest against him with Congress state president D K Shivakumar quipping that his party would welcome it if Yediyurappa himself decided to contest from Varuna.
Meanwhile, ahead of May 10 assembly elections, former JD(S) MLA S R Srinivas on Thursday became the third legislator to resign from the post, and join Congress, this month.
