Vijayendra to begin tour of Varuna this week

B.Y. Vijayendra, son of former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who is tipped to be the BJP’s candidate against Yathindra, son of Chief Minister Siddarmaiah, in the Varuna Assembly constituency will start his tour of the constituency in Mysuru this week.

Mr. Vijayendra was in Mysuru last week. He offered prayers at Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills before stating that he was ready to contest from Varuna if the party leadership fielded him. He was back in Mysuru on Sunday to meet people from the constituency and elicit their views.

Mr. Vijayendra met BJP leaders from the Assembly constituency at Rajendra Kalyana Mantapa here and retired IPS officer L. Revanasiddaiah at the latter’s residence.

Mr. Vijayendra’s meeting with Mr. Revanasiddaiah is perceived to be significant as the latter, who belongs to the Lingayat community, had contested against Mr. Siddaramaiah twice, albeit unsuccessfully – from Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency in 2004 as a candidate of the Congress and in the 2008 elections as a BJP candidate.

If the party decides to field Mr. Vijayendra from Varuna, it will be the 43-year-old’s electoral debut. “BJP leaders from the constituency are enthused by the possibility of Mr. Vijayendra’s entry into the poll fray as it holds promise of bringing them closer to the power centre if the BJP captures power and Mr. Yeddyurappa becomes Chief Minister,” a BJP leader said.

“He will not begin his election campaign. But, will merely go to the people, talk to them and understand the nature of issues in the constituency and the problems they are facing,” a source close to Mr. Vijayendra said. “He will not talk, but will only listen to the people,” the source added.

If chosen, Mr. Vijayendra will, in all likelihood, be taking on Dr. Yathindra, who has been working in the constituency for the last one and a half years. After the death of his brother, Rakesh, who was working in the constituency on behalf of his father, Dr. Yathindra has taken over the responsibility.

Mr. Yathindra was even appointed chairman of the Vigilance Committee of Varuna Assembly constituency as Mr. Siddaramaiah, who represents the constituency in the Assembly, was unable to attend the meetings owing to his busy schedule. As head of the committee, Dr. Yathindra is even empowered to monitor development works in the constituency.