Supporters of K. Jayaprakash Hegde, BJP leader and former MP, offered prayers at the Sri Krishna Mutt/temple, Sri Chandramouleshwara temple and Sri Ananteshwara temple here on Thursday seeking the BJP ticket to Mr. Hegde for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliamentary seat and also the re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to presspersons, Harish Shetty, president, Cherkady Gram Panchayat, said party workers had prayed seeking that Mr. Modi be re-elected as PM. They also prayed that the high command gave the party ticket to Mr. Hegde as he was always in touch with the workers.
When it was pointed out that the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had already stated that incumbent MPs would get the ticket, Mr. Shetty said the party workers were not here to say that the party ticket should not be given to any particular person. There was lot of opposition for Shobha Karandlaje, incumbent MP, on social media.
“The BJP is known as the workers’ party. Hence, the high command should take the opinion of the party workers into consideration. We are sure the party will agree to our suggestion to give ticket to Mr. Hegde,” he said.
Raghavendra Kini, former president, Udupi city unit of BJP, said the BJP would announce its list on March 16. Ms. Karandlaje had done a lot of work in the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliamentary constituency. But she was a State-level leader, who had to tour the State at all times. “The workers want a candidate like Mr. Hegde who was easily accessible to them. The party had conducted a survey of the constituency. We urge the high command to choose a candidate based on that survey,” he said.
Chandrashekhar Shetty, party worker, said voters in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency knew Mr. Hegde. He was in touch with the people irrespective of his victory or defeat. He always responded to the problems of the people.