Karnataka bypoll aspirants meet BJP top brass in Delhi seeking tickets

With the Election Commission announcing dates for bypolls, ticket aspirants from BJP are camping in Delhi and meeting party top brass to seek tickets for Belagavi Lok Sabha seat and Basavakalyan assembly segment.

For Belagavi Lok Sabha seat byelection, though the party's state unit has recommended few names including Shardda, daughter of late Minister Suresh Angadi, former MP Ramesh Katti, Doctor Girish Sonwalkar and Delhi Special Representative Shankaregouda Patil, it is not sure whether the party will select one among from the list or not.

Girish Sonwalkar, who came to Delhi on the invitation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, already met him on Tuesday evening. Sonwalkar, who has a strong collection with Sangh Parivar expressed his confidence in getting a ticket.

Former MP Ramesh Katti, who also met Amit Shah and expressed his willingness to contest the elections. Katti also informed Shah that he was denied from Chikkodi Lok Sabha seat in the previous general election, sources said.

For the Basavakalyan Assembly segment, several contenders including Suryakant Nagamarapalli and former MLA Mallikarjuna Khuba are trying to get tickets from BJP.

Suryakanth Nagmarapalli already met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Karnataka in-charge secretary Arun Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and requested them to give him a ticket for the Basavakalyan Assembly segment.

Besides, several Zilla Panchayat members from Bidar district also arrived in Delhi and tried to meet the party top brass to seek tickets.

The BJP top brass is likely to take a final decision on candidates for these two segments in a couple of days.

The byelection for both the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat and Basavakalyan Assembly seats are to be held on April 17.