Rajanna denied mayor’s post; Horatti’s supporters fear a similar fate for him

Hubballi: For three times on the trot, Koravi Rajanna has been elected to the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) Council from Unkal ward – twice as a JD(S) candidate, and, as a member of the BJP in the last year’s elections. In 2018, Rajanna had contested the assembly elections, pitting himself against former chief minister Jagadish Shettar, and lost. Although a loyal footsoldier of the JD(S) for many years, Rajanna, who considers former minister Basavaraj Horatti his mentor, left the regional party in January 2021, protesting its neglect of North Karnataka.
He subsequently joined the BJP amid rumours of the saffron party having promised him the mayor’s post. However, with the BJP nominating Iresh Anchatageri to the top post in the HDMC Council, many JD(S) workers, who threw their lot in with the saffron party, are now afraid if Horatti will get his due.
Former JD(S) MLA NH Konaraddi, now a member of the Congress, pointed to reports in the media, wherein it was claimed that Shettar, and his fellow senior BJP leaders, had promised Rajanna the mayor’s post. Konaraddi sought to highlight what he perceived was a pattern of senior leaders from other parties joining the BJP being sidelined once they had jumped ship. “Mahesh Nalwad, the former Congress leader who was one of Shettar’s stronger rivals in the Hubballi-Dharwad Central assembly seat, joined the BJP too. Although I cannot remark on the internal affairs of the BJP, it must be noted that the saffron party sidelines strong leaders who join it,” Konaraddi said.
Rajanna was one of the 11 BJP corporators who were aspiring to get the mayor’s post, but the saffron party decided to nominate Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi’s associate Iranna Anchatageri. Understandably upset with the developments, Koravi’s supporters pointed to the corporator’s rise to a position of dominance in twin cities’ politics from the grassroots. “Rajanna’s father Moorusavirappa was also a corporator, the former never tried to abuse his position, but toiled as a common worker. The BJP must have ensured he received his due by making him the mayor,” they said.
Former JD(S) member and farmers’ leader Siddu Teji fears that Horatti may end up being relegated to the margins. “At a meeting of like-minded people a few days ago, wherein BJP leaders were also in attendance, the latter group shared their view on how leaders from other parties must be dissuaded from joining the saffron party. That was when we realised thatmany BJP leaders were working against Horatti. If Horatti wins the upcoming council election, it will be his victory. Considering his seniority, the BJP will have to accord a position befitting his stature,” Teji said.
Rajanna, however, said that he would abide by the decision of the party leadership. “When I joined the BJP, I was not promised the mayor’s post, but a respectable position. And I hope I will be appointed to a responsible post soon. Regardless of what role I am assigned, I will continue to work as a loyal party activist,” he added.