The rank and file of the BJP in Mysuru urban presents a picture of squabbling factions in the absence of a strong local leadership to act as glue to unite splinter groups.
For each constituency, the number of contenders for the coveted ticket is growing leaving loyal workers in confusion. What is more, the splinter groups are working at cross-purposes that may backfire at the party’s political fortunes in the Assembly elections.
As a result, the party is unlikely to sail on the tailwind generated by the Karnataka Parivartana Yatra as the prevailing internal bickering is set to neutralise the gains of that exercise. It is also highly dependent on the charisma of its national and State leaders to turn the tide in their favour.
A senior party functionary told The Hindu that grassroots’ workers have associated and identified themselves with a specific aspirant and each group in a constituency is antagonistic to another.
In Krishnaraja constituency, former Minister S.A. Ramdas is among the strong contenders for a ticket but there are efforts to stymie his chances by others who are equally vociferous about their claims. The names that are being touted include H.V. Rajeev, actor Malavika Avinash, apart from a realtor.
In Chamaraja Assembly segment, the rank and file is divided among followers of councillor Nandish Preetham, son of H.S. Shnakarlingegowda, former MLA. Another strong claimant is former MUDA chairman L. Nagendra besides city BJP president Manjunath.
In Narasimharaja Assembly segment, the party is grappling with the likes of Prem Kumar, a Bajrang Dal activist, Nataraj, MCC councillor, Chetan Manjunath, and Giridhar, apart from Maruti Rau Pawar. Besides, it is slyly wooing Sandesh Swamy, who is miffed with the JD(S) for having denied him a ticket.
And ahead of the Assembly elections, the schedule of which is likely to be announced soon, the incumbent candidates from the Congress seeking a re-election have a head start while JD(S) is also covering ground in terms of mass outreach.
There is a perception that it is not so with the BJP for whom the stakes seem to be low in a region where it is struggling with leadership issues in urban constituencies while it has not made deep inroads in the rural hinterland either.
Another functionary said the BJP being a cadre-based organisation, the party members would loyally work for the official candidates in their respective constituencies once the list was announced. “Every party will have its share of seat aspirants and disgruntled elements and this is not unique to the BJP,” he added.
