Disgruntlement in JD(S) over choice of candidates spreads in Karnataka's Mandya district

MANDYA: Days after JD(S) announced names of candidates f or all seven constituencies in Mandya district for assembly polls likely to be held in April-May, disgruntlement app eared to be spreading with local functionaries objecting t o some of the names.
It began with opposition to t he candidature of HT Manju, director, Mandya District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, from KR Pet segment and h as now spread to Srirangapatna and Mandya segments. Local functionaries, who were aspiring for tickets, are now holding meetings with their supporters in these three segments. They have asked the p arty leadership to reconsider t heir choice of candidates.
Manju is a confidante of former chief minister and J D(S) floor leader HD Kumara swamy and his name was announced for the KR Pet seat in the first list released last month.
Supporters of BL Devaraj, w ho contested the 2019 bypoll against KC Narayanagowda — who moved from JD(S) to B JP — and lost by a margin o f 9,000 votes, have launched a tour of the constituency to protest the party decision’s to give Manju the ticket. They hope to exert pressure on the p arty leadership by organising meetings.
Besides Devaraj, two other aspirants who are close to former minister HD Revanna, have expressed their disapproval of the party’s decision. The dissatisfied leaders have asked the party brass to field Devaraj or a member from HD Deve Gowda’s family.
Sitting MLAs targeted
In Srirangapatna, a section of JD(S) leaders is pitching for former zilla panchayat president Taggahalli Venkatesh and are against handing the ticket to Ravindra Srikantaiah, sitting MLA. “I have worked for the party in Srirangapatna for the past 30 years. Let the party accommodate the sitting MLA in the Lok Sabha polls or he can be fielded in MLC elections. If the party does not give me the ticket, I will contest as an independent,” Venkatesh said.
JD(S) aspirants for Mandya assembly constituency have also objected to the nomination of sitting MLA M Srinivas, saying he is not keeping well due to age related ailments. Manmul president BR Ramachandra, former zilla panchayat member Yogesh and educationist Vijayanandaare aspiring for the JD(S) ticket from Mandya seat.
Only a minor problem:JD(S) However, Mandya district JD(S) chief D Ramesh dubbed the issues as “minor”. “Such confusions are normal ahead of elections. Ticket aspirants are expressing their opinion; it is not a rebellion. Kumaraswamy will visit Mandya after the Pancharatna Yatre and clear the confusion,” Ramesh said.