BJP candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Mysore-Kodagu constituency Pratap Simha’s maiden visit to the city on Friday lacked the usual euphoria as some among the party workers and leaders preferred to stay aloof from him.

The resentment among the rank and file of the party was tangible as some of the leaders and workers remained huddled in different corners outside the temple, while some accompanied him Simha inside Goddess Chamundeshwari temple atop the hill.
Protest

Also, unhappy over MLC and former MP C H Vijayshankar not being given ticket to contest from the constituency, some of the BJP party workers have threatened to campaign against Simha.

BJP workers from Mysore rural, Hunsur and Periyapatna taluk who staged a protest in front of party office, here on Friday alleged that Vijayshankar who is now being currently given ticket from Hassan constituency had been actively involved in politics at Mysore for 20 years. However, he has been sidelined and the party has made way for a columnist to contest from the constituency, which will have an adverse effect on the party’s reputation.

They urged that the party retain Vijayshankar in Mysore-Kodagu constituency and threatened of anti party activities against Simha, if their demand is not considered.
After the temple visit, Simha called on Hosamath seer Sri Chidananda and Adhichunchanagiri Mysore branch mutt seer Sri Someshwaranath at their respective maths. His visit for the day concluded at ‘Madhava Kripa’ Mysore branch of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) on JLB road. Simha is expected to visit Kodagu district, a part of the constituency on Saturday.