Mysuru: Although elections are fought between different political parties, the poll season also sets in stark relief the divisions and schisms between leaders and factions of one party. A rebellion appears to be brewing within the
BJP over ticket distribution for the
Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) polls scheduled later this month. After senior leader MD Parthasarathy quit the BJP and joined the JD(S) ahead of the polls, two other BJP workers have broken ranks with the party, and announced that they will contest the urban local body elections as rebel candidates.
Asha Nagbushan, who was hoping to get the party’s nod to contest from Agrahara (Ward 51) and Nanda Satsingh, who was eyeing the candidacy in Ittigegudu (Ward 52), have announced their intention to contest as Independents in the upcoming polls.
Parthasarathy rued that the BJP had failed to acknowledge his contributions despite his 32-year long association with it. “I performed well as an MCC member, but the party failed to identify me as an asset. I was forced to contest the assembly elections as a rebel candidate. I was completely neglected by the BJP,” he said.
Expressing delight with the heartwarming welcome that he had received in the JD(S), Parthasarathy said, “I was welcomed into the JD(S) fold by chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, Adagooru H Vishwanath, GT Devegowda and other prominent leaders. I have decided to contest the MCC polls as a JD(S) candidate.”
BJP leader Muralidhar Singh expressed regret over the party’s failure to nominate Asha and Nanda from Agrahara and Ittigegudu. “Krishnaraja MLA SA Ramadas, and other leaders in the BJP had promised to field the two workers. But, they have backtracked on their decision, and cheated these two women, who were hopeful of getting the tickets after their wards were reserved for women,” Singh said.
He sought an explanation from the BJP leadership as to why Asha and Nanda had been denied party tickets for the MCC council elections.
