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This story is from March 26, 2019

At 28, the youngest BJP contender, Surya the surprise package from Bengaluru South

At 28, the youngest BJP contender, Surya the surprise package from Bengaluru South
BENGALURU: The late night decision of the BJP central leadership to field a young firebrand youth leader in Tejasvi Surya, with a Sangh Parivar background, for the key constituency of Bengaluru South has been considered by many as a surprise package for the BJP bastion in the heart of the IT capital of the nation.
A strategically key constituency in the BJP’s “gateway to south India”, Surya is said to be a parellel candidature which was mooted and pushed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as opposed to the single name of late union minister H N Ananth Kumar’s wife Tejaswini mooted by the BJP state unit.

The decision of setting aside Tejaswini’s name and approving Surya on the premise of the Sangh Parivar backing him became evident on Tuesday when state president B S Yeddyurappa and other key leaders like former deputy chief minister R Ashoka said the state leadership had recommended only one person and that is Tejaswini Ananth Kumar.
A law graduate, with student union background from National College and later a graduate degree from Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies, Surya has identified himself as a nationalist with recognition of his communication skills at the central level in the BJP.
While Surya himself did not expect the ticket, as was evident from his tweets in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, his candidature itself came as a surprise to most BJP state leaders, including BS Yeddyurappa.
“...We had sent only one name from the state party leadership, that of Tejaswini. However, the party central leadership took a different view and has given the ticket to Tejasvi Surya. I do not know the reasons behind the change. I have given him the B Form and we will work as per the party decision,” said Yeddyurappa.

The stark divide between the Sangh Parivar “choice” and the Bengaluru South party leadership and cadre came to the fore on Tuesday when Surya was accompanied by his uncle and Basavangudi MLA Ravi Subramanya and Chikpet MLA Uday Garudachar along with Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekar.
Surya himself did not acknowledge Yeddyurappa in his flurry of initial tweets and thanked the RSS leaders for their backing.
“Can't thank enough RSS and its selfless leaders for showering their choicest blessings on me. You have excused my mistakes, tolerated my mischief, supported me in every possible way. I can't believe that men like @MUKUNDAckpura & @blsanthosh exist in real. I want to be like you,” said Surya.
The big names, who are considered key influential community leaders in a Vokkaliga dominated constituency, including former DyCM and Padmanabhanagar MLA R Ashoka and Govindrajnagar MLA V Somanna, apart from MLA Satish Reddy from Bommanahalli all stayed away from Surya’s nomination filing rally.
Ashoka, who had accompanied the Bengaluru rural candidate Ashwath Narayan Gowda to file the latter’s nomination papers also categorically said the party had taken a unanimous decision to back Tejaswini.
“However, we are not aware as to why Surya was nominated. But as party’s loyal cadre we will work to ensure BJP victory in the segment,” said Ashoka.
Earlier in the day, Surya met Tejaswini at the latter’s residence in a bid to show unity in the parliamentary constituency.
However, what ensued at the house of Ananth Kumar and Tejaswini appeared to rattle the youngster who was accompanied by his uncle.
In her statement, while speaking to Surya and open to the media, Tejaswini categorically said she had always abided by the party diktat but hinted at her being sidelined.
“Me and Ananth Kumar came to Bengaluru and built this party when there was not even a office of the BJP. I personally cooked meals for the cadre and even doubled up as a receptionist to attend phone calls. However, I have maintained my stand that nation comes first and that it is the time show our maturity. I appeal to the cadre to forget the internal differences and work towards building the nation. We will campaign for Surya, who has been chosen as the candidate by the central leadership,” she said.
The statement came amidst protests with loyalists shouting “Ananth Kumar Amar Rahe” (long live Ananth Kumar) and “we want justice”.
A rattled Surya tried to pacify them by trying to shout slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” but recieved little or no reciprocation from the cadre.
During his rally, Surya found himself isolated as party cadre asked him to not file his nominations.
It is said the decision to field Surya was a conscious move by BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santosh and local RSS leaders to counter any action by the BJP state leadership in continuing with Ananth Kumar lineage.
According to party sources, the political novice may find it difficult to manoeuvre at the grass root level due to lack of senior leaders who will hand hold him.
It is speculated that party general secretary C T Ravi and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha may extend their services in case Ashoka and others do not actively campaigning for Surya.
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About the Author
Sandeep Moudgal

Journalist by profession, 15 years in the field with Politics and Policy as forte. He is an Assistant Editor with Bengaluru bureau and Karnataka as his jurisdiction. Has a Masters degree in Ancient History and Archaeology from Mysore University along with a PGDJ from the Asian College of Journalism.

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