But in the absence of the Reddy triumvirate, the BJP is looking for “star” campaigners for the November 30 bypoll.

Local businessman P Gadilingappa, the BJP candidate, and others reportedly descended on Shikaripura and Shimoga, and urged former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to campaign for the party candidate. The Lingayat and the Kuruba community, who have the decisive votes, are said to be in favour of the the BJP.

Gadilingappa and his aides appealed to Yeddyurappa to canvass for the party so that the BJP emerges victorious and continues its stronghold in Bellary.

According to party sources, BJP State president K S Eshwarappa will arrive in Bellary on Wednesday and campaign for a few days. Eshwarappa, along with a few legislators and Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, accompanied Gadilingappa during the filing of his nomination papers.

Party workers feel that if Yeddyurappa and the legislators loyal to him do not campaign for the BJP, it would be difficult for Gadilingappa to defeat Independent candidate B Sriramulu and Congress’ Ramprasad.

Guttiganur Virupaksha Gowda, president of the district unit of the BJP, along with Central Relief Committee chairman K Ramalingappa and former MP Kolur Basanagoud, has been visiting villages meeting Lingayat and Kuruba leaders seeking their support.