Ramanagaram BJP chief M. Rudresh has accused Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar of hijacking the BJP candidate from the Assembly segment, L. Chandrashekar, just days before the byelection.
Addressing presspersons at the BJP office in Ramanagaram on Sunday, Mr. Rudresh accused Mr. Chandrashekar of “murdering democracy” by retiring from the poll battle and rejoining the Congress. “It was unethical. Mr. Shivakumar arrived from Ballari to Bengaluru in a special flight, and later the entire episode unfolded,” he said.
“I am aware of each and every detail pertaining to the development, including a meeting held at a hotel. The Chief Minister should take the truth test if he does not have any role in the incident,” Mr. Rudresh challenged.
In the fear of losing the election, the coalition partners played backdoor politics, he alleged. He said the BJP’s State leadership was also responsible for the humiliation the party faced Mr. Chandrashekar’s U-turn. “Fielding Chandrashekhar was a wrong move. But, considering the clean image of his father C.M. Lingappa, his candidature was finalised. It was also discussed with former Minister C.P. Yogeshwar. Unfortunately, the party nominee was lured with money by rival party leaders,” he said.
He also said the party had learnt a lesson from the incident and would make better decisions in future.
Mr. Chandrashekar joined the BJP only on October 10 and was chosen as candidate for the bypoll to the Assembly constituency. He announced retirement from the contest against Janata Dal (S) candidate Anitha Kumaraswamy, wife of the Chief Minister, on November 1 — the last day for campaigning.