<p>Speculations are rife that former Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar, who resigned from the primary membership of the BJP on Wednesday, may contest from the constituency as Congress nominee in the 2023 Assembly elections. </p>.<p>A section of supporters has appealed to Banakar, once a close aide of former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, to join the Congress. </p>.<p>According to sources, U B Banakar, son of former Speaker and a Janata Parivar leader late B G Banakar, had received offers from both the Congress and the JD(S). The two-time Hirekerur MLA is, however, playing his cards close to his chest. </p>.<p>Both the Congress and the JD(S) are trying hard to win him over and field him from Hirekerur constituency. A large section of his supporters are asking him to join the Congress party but he is yet to take a call on it,” a senior leader from Hirekerur close to him told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span>.</p>.<p>Sources said, U B Banakar is meeting his supporters, seeking their opinion on the next course of action.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/senior-state-leaders-must-make-way-for-youth-bjp-mp-1161272.html" target="_blank">Senior state leaders must make way for youth: BJP MP</a></strong></p>.<p>Banakar, who had represented Hirekerur twice in 1994 on BJP ticket and in 2013 as KJP candidate, has been sulking ever since minister B C Patil joined the saffron party and successfully contested the 2019 bypolls from Hirekerur.</p>.<p>After announcing his resignation from the primary membership of BJP on Wednesday, Banakar told reporters that he was leaving the saffron party as the leadership has not assured him of a party ticket for the Assembly polls next year. </p>.<p>"I kept quiet when Agriculture Minister B C Patil joined the BJP as I wanted to see Yediyurappa become CM. Patil has been tormenting my supporters after he joined the BJP. Hence, I was forced to take this decision" Banakar told reporters in Haveri.</p>.<p>"I have offers from both the Congress and the JD(S). I will take an appropriate decision after consulting my supporters," he added.</p>.<p> A senior leader from Banakar camp told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span> that U B Banakar had maintained good relationship with Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah. Also, his father was a minister in Devaraj Urs Cabinet in late 1970s. These factors may swing the pendulum in favour of Congress, he said.</p>
<p>Speculations are rife that former Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar, who resigned from the primary membership of the BJP on Wednesday, may contest from the constituency as Congress nominee in the 2023 Assembly elections. </p>.<p>A section of supporters has appealed to Banakar, once a close aide of former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, to join the Congress. </p>.<p>According to sources, U B Banakar, son of former Speaker and a Janata Parivar leader late B G Banakar, had received offers from both the Congress and the JD(S). The two-time Hirekerur MLA is, however, playing his cards close to his chest. </p>.<p>Both the Congress and the JD(S) are trying hard to win him over and field him from Hirekerur constituency. A large section of his supporters are asking him to join the Congress party but he is yet to take a call on it,” a senior leader from Hirekerur close to him told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span>.</p>.<p>Sources said, U B Banakar is meeting his supporters, seeking their opinion on the next course of action.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/senior-state-leaders-must-make-way-for-youth-bjp-mp-1161272.html" target="_blank">Senior state leaders must make way for youth: BJP MP</a></strong></p>.<p>Banakar, who had represented Hirekerur twice in 1994 on BJP ticket and in 2013 as KJP candidate, has been sulking ever since minister B C Patil joined the saffron party and successfully contested the 2019 bypolls from Hirekerur.</p>.<p>After announcing his resignation from the primary membership of BJP on Wednesday, Banakar told reporters that he was leaving the saffron party as the leadership has not assured him of a party ticket for the Assembly polls next year. </p>.<p>"I kept quiet when Agriculture Minister B C Patil joined the BJP as I wanted to see Yediyurappa become CM. Patil has been tormenting my supporters after he joined the BJP. Hence, I was forced to take this decision" Banakar told reporters in Haveri.</p>.<p>"I have offers from both the Congress and the JD(S). I will take an appropriate decision after consulting my supporters," he added.</p>.<p> A senior leader from Banakar camp told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span> that U B Banakar had maintained good relationship with Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah. Also, his father was a minister in Devaraj Urs Cabinet in late 1970s. These factors may swing the pendulum in favour of Congress, he said.</p>
