Mandya: KR Pete constituency has become a major cause of concern for the ruling BJP. Following the disqualification of 17 MLAs, KR Pete happens to be one of the 15 constituencies that will be going into by-polls soon. Narayana Gowda, the leader who represented this constituency is awaiting the verdict of the Supreme Court, with regard to the disqualification row and with this, the BJP has decided to knit strategies to make sure this constituency falls into its basket.
Party sources say that the BJP will field Narayana Gowda if the SC verdict comes in his favour, but if the SC upholds the disqualification decision, then the BJP needs a face that they can present to the voters as a strong alternative.
It is now being said that the party will field none other than the younger son of CM BS Yediyurappa if the court verdict goes against Gowda. It is also said that there seems to be no opposition to the proposal of BY Vijayendra, son of the CM contesting from KR Pete. BSY and his family are no strangers to KR Pete considering the fact that CM BSY himself was born at Bukanakere village in KR Pete taluk. Since Vijayendra is directly connected to KR Pete through BSY, there seems to be no opposition to his candidature.
In fact, one of the BJP ticket aspirants Bukalli Manju has said that if Narayana Gowda cannot contest the polls then the BJP will field its ‘dark horse’ Vijayendra.
The locals too feel that if Vijayendra contests and wins, then the constituency will witness better development as the CM will consider the constituency as his own.
Vijayendra’s name was last heard during the assembly polls. It was then said that the BJP would field Vijayendra against the then CM Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra in Varuna constituency. However, the BJP did not issue Vijayendra a ticket.
On the other hand, it is said that Congress is trying to get the support of Sumalatha Ambaressh for its candidate. During the recently held Parliamentary polls, Sumalatha, an independent candidate had got a massive lead in KR Pete assembly segment, which showed her influence over the voters here. The Congress is working out shortcuts, but the decision of Sumalatha is not known as of now. The 15 constituencies will go to the by-polls on October 21.
