After delimitation, Tumkur constituency has been divided into Tumkur urban and rural. “Party State unit president has suggested me to contest from Tumkur urban. Also he has told me to start working towards organising the party,” Shivanna said in a press meet here on Friday.
There was a feeling among people that the Muslim community is not with the BJP. However, now Muslims are also favouring BJP. Mohmed Anwar Pasha, vice president of Congress south division has joined BJP and this proves Muslim community’s growing interest in the party. In the coming days many more leaders from other parties are joining BJP,” he said.
“Since 1994, we have not given any scope for communalism. We have maintained cordial relations with all communities. However, in some parts of the City terrorist elements are active. Our teams have been investigating into this and the information is being passed on to the officials concerned,” Shivanna said.
However, when asked about what kind of measures are being taken to curb terrorist elements, he denied to disclose any information.
Promises
If voted to power again, Shivanna promised voters that he will effectively address water, power and infrastructure problems. No development works have been carried out by the Congress legislators and ministers in the past. If at all any development has taken place in the City it is because of his own efforts, said Sivanna.
He said if BJP comes to power, a medical college will be opened in the City.
BJP vice president B G Gopalakrishna, district chief secretary Shivaprasad, Yuva Morcha president Byatarangegowda, State SC Morcha vice president Mohan, City BJP president Rameshachar,  City chief secretary Niranjan, City Municipal Council member K P Mahesh, Mohamed Anwar Pasha who joined BJP
recently and other politicians were also present at the press meet.


DISSIDENCE EXPLODES IN TUMKUR BJP

“Hattrick Legislator” S Shivanna from the BJP, who has the distinction of being elected for three consecutive terms from Tumkur assembly constituency will now be contesting from Tumkur Urban assembly constituency. This has given rise to dissidence in the BJP camp.
The rumour that former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is contesting from Tumkur Urban assembly constituency is laid to rest as the BJP leaders have given the green signal to Shivanna to contest from this assembly constituency.
However, during Shivanna’s tenure as legislator three terms, including his tenure as a minister for 20 months, he concentrated in the rural sector. He did not interact with the leaders of the urban unit of the BJP and not bother to redress their grievances, the local leaders complain.
“No one in all the 35 wards of the City are in favour of Shivanna’s candidature. During his three terms as legislator he failed to interact with the leaders and workers of the BJP Urban unit and with the members of the City Municipal Council. We will not work in favour of Shivanna. We will work only in favour of a candidate other than Shivanna. If the BJP leadership fail to take a note of this, we will be compelled to work in favour of a strong rival candidate”, a former BJP councillor of City Municpal Council told Deccan Herald, on conditions of anonymity, moments after Sogadu Shivanna held a press conference in the city.