Some workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mysuru have started a campaign to ask voters to choose the “None of the Above” option in the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka. The workers are upset about the party’s decision to not field BY Vijayendra, the son of former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, from Varuna constituency of the district, The Hindu reported on Thursday.
Vijayendra was seen as a likely candidate to contest against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra from the constituency, but the BJP decided to field Thotadappa Basavaraju from there instead. Siddaramaiah currently represents Varuna.
Assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 12. The results will be announced on May 15.
The angry workers hope that a re-election will take place if most voters opt for NOTA. After a party worker allegedly committed suicide on Thursday morning, his colleagues blamed it on Vijayendra not getting a ticket, The New Indian Express reported.
Workers are reportedly circulating pamphlets on social media, calling for voters to choose “None of the Above” over Basavaraju. The pamphlets blame Union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde and a leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for “messing up” the party’s chances in Varuna. Basavaraju is described as a loyalist of Ananth Kumar Hegde’s. A poster even shows an inverted lotus in protest, according to The New Indian Express.
“Are you trying to ensure Siddaramaiah’s victory or are you afraid that Vijayendra may emerge as a formidable leader,” social media messages by the angry workers reportedly asked.
“How much have you taken?” another poster asked, according to the Deccan Herald. “Is this your contribution to the victory of Siddaramaiah’s son?”
After the reports of such posters, Yeddyurappa appealed to party workers to stay united and ensure Basavaraju’s victory.
On Monday, Yeddyurappa had said: “I am not unhappy. We decided that my son won’t contest from Varuna. Vijayendra worked hard on this seat. He will now campaign in many seats in this area.”
Vijayendra had also tweeted in support of the party’s decision, and said he would continue to work towards bringing the BJP to power in Karnataka.
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