Dissent brews in BJP over Karnataka candidates' list

Discontent seems to be brewing within a section of the Karnataka BJP, following the party's announcement of its candidates for the May 10 Assembly polls, as some ticket aspirants who did not make it have openly expressed displeasure.

While some have decided to quit the party, a couple of them have said they would discuss things with their supporters and decide on their future course of action.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi on Wednesday announced his decision to resign from primary membership of the BJP, a day after the ruling party denied him a ticket to contest in the May 10 Assembly elections.

Sitting MLA Mahesh Kumathalli was given ticket in Athani in Belagavi district. Savadi is a three-time MLA from Athani, but lost in the 2018 elections to Kumathalli (then in the Congress).

"I have made my decision. I am not the one who goes around with a begging bowl. I am a self-respecting politician," Savadi, a BJP MLC, said in a press conference.

Amid speculation that he may join the Congress, the 63-year-old added that he will make a "strong decision" on Thursday evening and start working on it from Friday.

Calling the people of Athani constituency and his supporters as his 'real high command', Savadi said they have directed him to resign from the party as well as the MLC position.

"I am not ready to lose my 'high command'. It's my primary duty to follow their instructions," the former Transport Minister said.

To a question, he said, "When I have decided to resign from my party then should I remain as the MLC? I am a man with self esteem." Reacting to Savadi's announcement, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai asked him not to take any decision in a hurry.

"I have spoken to Laxman Savadi. I have told him not to make a decision in a haste. I believe that Savadi has a very old relationship, an emotional one, with the BJP," Bommai said.

He added that he is aware that he has been denied a ticket and that he and the party high command will speak to him. Bommai advised him to think in a calm state of mind so that he can realise that he has a bright future in the party. "The party has held his hand and will continue to do so in future as well. The party will honour him," the Chief Minister said.

Kumatalli was among the group of defectors who helped the BJP to bring down the Congress-JD(S) coalition and form its government under the leadership of B S Yediyurappa in 2019.

BJP Minister S Angara announces retirement from politics

Minister and six-time MLA S Angara from Sullia constitiuency in Dakshina Kannada district announced his retirement from politics on Wednesday, a day after he was denied a ticket by the party for the May 10 Karnataka assembly election.

A visibly aggrieved Angara said that this was not the way an MLA who toiled for the party with dedication is treated.

"I am not disgruntled for being denied a ticket by the party. But this is not a way to honour for working for the party and society without any black spot," the Minister for Ports and Inland Transport told reporters.

The 58-year-old said he was retiring from politics and he will not work for the party any more.

The BJP released its first list of 189 candidates for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections on Tuesday.

Out of the 189 candidates that the BJP announced today, 52 of them will be fresh faces, the party said.