BJP recommends two names from Mandya, but open to backing Sumalatha

BENGALURU: Even as Sumalatha Ambareesh decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections as an independent from Mandya, the BJP, which has been hinting at giving support to the wife of late cine star and Congressmand M H Ambareesh, has recommended two names of Dr Siddaramaiah and a techie by name Srinivas who hails from Srinrangapatna.
According to BJP sources, with Sumalatha candidature as an independent, the saffron party may decide to abstain from elections as was hinted by party state president B S Yeddyurappa.
Yeddyurappa had said the BJP will wait for Sumalatha’s decision before taking a final call on candidate for Mandya.
However, state general secretay C T Ravi has said the final decision has been left to the central parliamentary board.
“Our district report has been sent with the recommendations of two candidates along with an explanation of the ground level political situation in Mandya. Now, the decision is left to the central parliamentary board,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to sources, the BJP has also finalised a single name of former Channapatna MLA C P Yogeeshwara from Bengaluru rural constituency and Y Devendrappa from Ballari constituencies.
While Yogeeshwara is said to be a last resort, considering there were no other options for the BJP, Devendrappa is said to be a relative of disgruntled Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi.
Devendrappa’s wife is said to be a president of a gram panchayat in Harapanahalli and is backed by the Congress party.
The BJP is expected to release the list of all 28 candidates on Tuesday