For BJP, it’s a ship sans captain in Jamkhandi

Though winning every assembly seat in the bypolls is important for the BJP considering its dream of coming to power in Karnataka, the saffron party seems to be lagging behind in terms of campaigning as against the Congress.

There is far more enthusiasm in the Congress camp as its leaders are not leaving any stone unturned for the victory of Anand Nyamagouda, the elder son of the former MLA late Siddu Nymagouda, the same level of enthusiasm is missing in the BJP camp.

The absence of Jagadish Shettar, the BJP poll in charge for the Jamakhandi assembly constituency, who is in Europe tour, has made things a little difficult for the party.

He left for the Europe tour on October 11 along with his family members as it was decided much before the announcement of the bypolls schedule. He is expected to be back on October 28 and will camp at Jamakhandi till the bypoll concludes.

In Shettar’s absence, MLA Govind M Karjol is leading the BJP camp.

The State BJP President BS Yeddyurappa, MPs Shobha Karandlaje and Pralhad Joshi accompanied when Srikanth Kulkarni, their party’s candidate, filed his nomination papers. However, heavy rains cut short their subsequent meeting.

Though MLAs Aravind Limbavali, Murugesh Nirani, Siddu Savadi, Veeranna Charantimath and local leader Vamancharya are leading the campaigning, the party worker feel that the campaigning lacks the leader. According to a local leader, the camp lacks enough financial resources to face the Congress candidate backed by a host of leaders.

“We will seek more resources from the party when Yeddyurappa starts campaigning from October,” a local leader, begging anonymity told DH.

As regard the Congress, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, the party’s poll incharge, has been at Jamakhandi since October 22.

KPCC working president Eshwar Khandre, Women Cell president Lakshmi Hebbalkar, minister Shivanand Patil, MLAs KH Patil, MB Patil and Satish Jarkiholi have camped at Jamakhandi.

Former chief minister has already completed one round of visit.