BJP faces heat from rebels in many crucial North Karnataka segments

HUBBALLI: BJP’s official candidates for assembly election are taking flak from its rebel candidates in several constituencies in Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri, and other districts of North Karnataka region.
For the first time, BJP is facing such a large-scale rebellion after many candidates who missed tickets decided to raise banners of revolt in North Karnataka (Kittur Karnataka). BJP won 30 seats in North Karnataka (Kittur Karnataka) in the 2018 election. It is trying to increase its tally to 35-40 seats in NK this time around.
To reach this target, BJP organised 3-4 big rallies involving PM Modi, BJP president JP Nadda and Union home minister Amit Shah. However, announcing the first and second list has changed the party’s equations as several prominent leaders including some incumbent MLAs have decided to contest as rebel candidates after being denied tickets.
BJP candidates in Kundagol, Dharwad Rural and Hubballi-Dharwad East (SC) are likely to face stiff opposition from its rebel candidates. In Hubbali-Dharwad East (SC), former MLA Veerabhadrappa Halharvi, who quit BJP, is now contesting on a JD(S) ticket. Former MLA SI Chikkangouder, who missed a ticket, is planning to contest on a Congress ticket or as an independent in Kundagol. Tavanappa Ashtagi, BJP’s senior functionary, quit the party and decided to contest as an independent in Dharwad rural. However, sitting MLA CM Nimbannar was denied a ticket and Nagaraj Chabbi, who joined BJP from Congress recently got a ticket. However, Chabbi managed to take Nimbannavar into confidence.
In Gadag, incumbent MLA Ramanna Lamani from Shirhatti (SC) was denied a ticket. He is expected to contest election via JD(S) or fight as an independent candidate and is consulting his supporters to take the next step. In Haveri district, the Ranebennur BJP candidate is facing a big challenge from rebel candidate and former minister R Shankar, who joined BJP after winning on a KPJP ticket in the 2018 election. As he was denied a ticket again, he decided to file his nomination as an independent on April 17, while one more BJP ticket aspirant Santosh Kumar Patil will also contest as a rebel in Ranebennur constituency.
In Haveri SC segment, BJP now has a rebel candidate. After incumbent MLA Nehru Olekar was denied a ticket, he decided to fight the election either on JD(S) ticket or as an independent to defeat the BJP candidate. Olekar also resigned from BJP and lashed at CM Bommai.
In Belagavi district, it is a big challenge for BJP to deal with rebel candidates in more than four constituencies. Dejected on not getting a ticket, Laxman Savadi joined Congress to contest on a Congress ticket against BJP candidate Mahesh Kumathalli. BJP candidates in Savadatti, Ramdurg, Belagavi North, Kittur and Hukkeri are likely to face the heat from rebel candidates.
In Basavana Bagewadi constituency, ticket aspirant Somangowda (Appugowda) Patil Managuli is likely to contest as a rebel candidate against BJP. Growing rebellion may dent the poll prospects of official candidates of the BJP in North Karnataka.