'Wrong selection of candidates hurt BJP in ULB polls'

Bangalore, March 15:

excise minister M P Renukacharya slammed the "dictatorial attitude of the leaders" in the Sangh Parivar and the

for the party's humiliating loss in the recent urban local body elections in the state.

Renukacharya, who described himself to be a disciplined soldier of the party, accused leaders of denying poll tickets to candidates having mass support. The minister, who had earlier identified himself with former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, said candidates having support of 10 or so people at the gram panchayat level were given tickets instead.

The leader also said that the absence of Yeddyurappa, who left the BJP and joined the Karnataka Janata Paksh (KJP), hurt the party for it could have won more seats in the polls had Yeddyurappa campaigned for it.

He said the BJP would have to pay a heavy price if the leaders did not change their attitude while selecting candidates for the Assembly polls due in May. He said all candidates would not win just on the basis of the party's symbol and need people's support.

Renukacharya also added that he would speak on the insult that was meted out to him during the selection of candidates in his constituency during a two-day meeting of the party scheduled to begin on Friday. The BJP state unit is set to meet the district officials to discuss the poor show in the elections during the meeting.

When questioned whether he had plans to contest the assembly elections on KJP's ticket, the minister said he was still in the BJP.

OneIndia News