BJP fields Basavaraju from Varuna

The BJP on Tuesday fielded Thothadappa Basavaraju, a former district (rural) vice president, as its candidate from the high-profile Varuna Assembly segment. Basavaraju is at present a party media coordinator.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that B Y Vijayendra would be nominated as the state Yuva Morcha general secretary, considering his organising skills and popularity among the youth. Vijayendra is the son of state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa.

The announcement came as BJP workers continued with their protests in Mysuru, Nanjangud, T Narsipur, Varuna and Vajamangala seeking Vijayendra's candidature from Varuna Assembly segment for the May 12 elections.

Basavaraju completed the process of filing his papers at Nanjangud Taluk Office on Tuesday, the last day for filing the nomination. A resident of T Narsipur, he had filed his nomination on April 17 but without the 'B' form. On Tuesday, he added the 'B' form.

Varuna is at present represented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his son Dr Yathindra will contest on a Congress ticket from the segment in the upcoming polls.

The constituency caught the limelight after Vijayendra started touring villages, projecting himself as the BJP's prospective candidate and had also rented a house in Varuna village.

Vijayendra was born and brought up in Shikaripura, Shivamogga district, while Yeddyurappa was born and raised in Bookanakere in K R Pet taluk of Mandya district.

The BJP's Karnataka in-charge Muralidhar Rao and Javadekar rushed to Mysuru on Monday night to hold discussions with the leaders concerned on the issue.

While the BJP candidates had warned of withdrawing their nominations if Vijayendra does not get a ticket, some supporters had threatened to commit suicide. Some party leaders had warned of resigning from their posts in local bodies.

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa said Vijayendra will stay in Mysuru region and support the BJP candidates in the elections.

He apologised to the BJP supporters in Varuna and also across the state for the unsavoury episode, which caused inconvenience to party workers.

Vijayendra thanked the people of Varuna for accepting and supporting him.