Bypolls a test run for BJP in Mandya, Ramanagara for 2019

BENGALURU: A lack of stalwarts and noted leaders has forced the BJP to field two novices from their party for the upcoming Ramanagara assembly and Mandya Lok Sabha bypolls scheduled for November 3.
While this may, prima facie, suggest that the BJP has a weak leadership in the Old Mysuru region, it is said the party is using this opportunity as a “dry run” to increase its voter base for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Bangalore Rural and Mandya LS constituencies.
Both L Chandrashekar, son of former Ramanagara MLA and incumbent Congress MLC CM Lingappa, and Siddaramaiah are novices nominated by the BJP state leadership, in a lastminute choice. It is speculated that neither Chandrashekar, who jumped from the Congress to BJP two days before the bypoll nomination dates, or Siddaramaiah will figure in the scheme of things for the party in future, if they win or lose.
“However, the two candidates, even if defeated, can assist the BJP in increasing its voter base in the Bangalore Rural and Mandya Lok Sabha constituencies,” said a BJP worker. It is said the BJP is looking at bringing dissident Congress leaders, who were previously with the JD(S), on board before next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Accordingly, former MLAs HC Balakrishna (Magadi), N Cheluvarayaswamy (Nagamangala) and Bandi Siddegowda (Srirangapatna) are being wooed by the BJP to join their party. It is speculated within the party that Balakrishna and Cheluvarayaswamy may be the likely candidates for Bangalore Rural and Mandya in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
“If Balakrishna joins, we expect that in Bangalore Rural, the party will manage good leads in Magadi, Channapatna (ex-MLA C P Yogeshwar’s constituency), Ramanagara (Chandrashekar), Anekal, Bangalore South (MLA M Krishnappa) and Kunigal in the 2019 LS polls,” said another party worker.
In Mandya, the BJP is looking at dissident Congress leaders Cheluvarayaswamy and former minister A Manju to bolster their vote bank by working against the coalition. Both leaders have publicly stated their opposition to the JD(S), and are reportedly in touch with BJP’s Mandya candidate Siddaramaiah. Both are on the Congress committee for the Mandya bypolls.