‘BJP must field a Kuruba candidate in council election’

Hubballi: The approaching council to the Graduates (West) seat in the legislative council has triggered lobbying among various communities, which want the BJP to give the party’s ticket to a member of their sect. Among those who are putting forth a vociferous demand is the Halumath Mahasabha (R), which wants the saffron party to field a member of the Kuruba community.
Rudranna Gulguli, president of the mahasabha, pointed to the rule played by Halumath community in bringing the BJP to power in 2008 and 2019. “However, the party has not ensured that the members of our community in the government,” Gulguli said.
As of now, three candidates from the Kuruba community in the BJP are vying for the party’s ticket – Basavaraj Gurikar, Ravi Dandin and Bhojaraj Karudi. Gulguli said that the BJP must ensure that any of the three candidates was given the party’s ticket. “We are willing to extend our support to any Independent if the BJP fails to give a ticket to a member of our community. Sankanur, the incumbent MLC for the Graduates (West) constituency, is a very good human being, but he did very little for the cause of the graduates,” Gulguli added.
He was also critical of Kuruba representatives in the BJP for not doing much to further the cause of the community. “But this time, we will show our strength and senior leaders such as KS Eshwarappa among others will realise our potential. In this constituency, Kuruba voters account for more than 30%,” Gulguli said.
Prahlad Hosahalli, Ryavappa Airani, Prakash Hudlamani, Hanumanthb Gajigouda were among those who attended the press conference.