Miffed BJP workers launch NOTA campaign against Varuna nominee

A section of the BJP members has launched a campaign for using NOTA on the electronic voting machine in the Varuna Assembly constituency to protest against the party high command’s decision not to field B Y Vijayendra, son of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

A soft copy of a pamphlet, issued by ‘Nonda Nistavantha BJP Karyakartharu’ (Hurt Committed BJP Members), being circulated in the social media, claims to be a ‘NOTA campaign’ against the BJP candidate in Varuna constituency. It puts forth six points to advocate the cause of the campaign.

“To secure our rights, to chose the candidate of our choice. In view of ensuring a re-election by facilitating the highest number of NOTA casting, to give a fitting answer to Union Minister Ananth Kumar and BJP organising secretary B L Santhosh. To remind Kumar and Santhosh that there were 50,000 people, when Vijayendra was ready to file his nomination papers and there were just six members, when their candidate filed the nomination,” the pamphlet claims.

“How much have you taken? Is this your contribution to the victory of Siddaramaiah’s son? Do you fear that Vijayendra would grow into a youth leader?” the pamphlet asks.

“To send a strong message about the self-respect of Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities through NOTA to the BJP high command. As the BJP candidate has been changed in Varuna, the results that were in favour of the BJP in nine constituencies in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts would be negatively affected,” it adds.

However, advocate N R Ravichandregowda, a specialist in election-related matters, said, “At present, NOTA is just symbolic. Practically, it cannot make or mar a candidate’s fate in an election. Even if the number of NOTA becomes a majority, it will not result in re-election. At present, the law does not allow NOTA to supersede the votes cast in favour of the candidates.”

“The Election Commission has clearly mentioned that even if the number of voters opted for NOTA are more than the number of votes polled by any of the candidates, the candidate who secures the highest number of the remaining votes should be declared elected. However, there are demands over changing the law, so as to declare the election null and void, if the number of NOTA exceeds the number of votes secured by the candidates,” he adds.