Won't canvas for Surya until there's clarity: Somanna

The dissent within the state BJP over the selection of Bangalore South candidate continues. On Wednesday, Govindarajanagar MLA V Somanna sought an explanation on how Tejaswini Ananth Kumar missed the ticket in the last moment.

Blaming Basavanagudi MLA L A Ravi Subramanya for BJP high command denying ticket to Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, Somanna said that he would not campaign for Surya until a discussion on the dramatic last-minute developments is taken up by the state leaders.

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, however, ruled out any disagreement over selection of Bangalore South candidate, adding that all leaders would work to ensure the victory of the candidate.

“There is no dissent within the party. Even Tejaswini has accepted the decision. Everyone will work together to ensure our candidate’s victory,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Tejaswini at her residence, Somanna said that the whole episode was unfortunate. Blaming Basavanagudi MLA L A Ravi Subramanya for his role in the issue, he said that one of his relatives was a corporator, and now his nephew has got the Lok Sabha ticket. “We want clarity on why this is so,” he said.

“I have told Ravi Subramanya the same when he had contacted me. I want to know the truth behind Tejaswini Ananthkumar missing the ticket,” he said, adding that the MLAs of the Lok Sabha constituency cannot be taken for granted (while selecting a candidate) as it is a question of our future.

He said that a meeting with senior BJP leaders of the state will be held in the next three days, following which there will be clarity on the high command decision.

“I don’t have any qualms to campaign for the candidate. But, it is not right to campaign without knowing the truth,” he said

Somanna is among the several BJP leaders who have questioned the selection of Tejasvi Surya over Tejaswini.

While MLA Umesh Katti had publicly expressed his displeasure regarding the selection of the candidate, another MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal had said that many unqualified candidates had been given BJP tickets.