Srinivas Prasad might be BJP nominee in Ch’nagar

Succumbing to party workers’ pressure, BJP vice-president and former minister V Srinivas Prasad has agreed in principle to contest from Chamarajanagar (SC Reserved) Lok Sabha segment in the election. However, Prasad said, he is in a confused state and will take a final decision on Friday.

Speaking to DH, Prasad said the party workers, leaders, including high command, and his supporters had been pressurising him to contest. Prasad, who reached Bengaluru to discuss about the election, said, “I will decide on contesting after discussing the issue with party leaders, including state president B S Yeddyurappa.”

Prasad, 71-year-old, has faced 13 elections for the last 41 years. He had decided to stay away from electoral politics after he was defeated in the Nanjangud bypols in 2017.

He said, he is tired of electoral politics and wants to stay away, but the workers as well as common people are not allowing him retire.

Prasad was elected five times from Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha segment and served as Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs in the Atal Behari Vajapayee government.

According to BJP leaders, Prasad is the apt candidate to contest against Congress, which has a stronghold in the region. BJP Chamarajanagar district president Mallikarjunappa said Prasad will contest the election. Prasad’s political experience and his rapport with the people will help him in the elections, he said.

BJP executive committee member Venkataramanaswamy said BJP has several aspirants to contest the election, but we will support Prasad, if he contests. The former minister is a secular person and has adopted the philosophies of B R Ambedkar and Basavanna, he added.

While the BJP is finalising the candidate, Congress will launch campaigning in Chamarajanagar on Friday.

The party has organised ‘Parivarthana rally’ at Dr BR Ambedkar stadium in Chamarajanagar.

Congress leader B J Vijaykumar said state-level leaders, including former chief minister Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjuna Kharge, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and H C Mahadevappa will attend the rally.