Bangarappa to take on Yeddyurappa in Karnataka polls

BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa will have to contend with former Chief Minister and Samajwadi party’s state unit President S Bangarappa in Shimoga’s Shikaripura constituency during the ensuing assembly elections in Karnataka.

Bangarappa, who is also a Lok Sabha MP from Shimoga comprising Shikaripura assembly seat, enjoys the sobriquet of “Solillada Sardara”, which means a “leader, who never loses”, given his successful track record in fighting elections.

After filing his nomination papers from Shikaripura assembly constituency on Monday, the last date for filing nominations, Bangarappa has set up an epic electoral battle in the coming elections against Yeddyurappa, who is looking forward to his sixth win in assembly elections. The BJP leader has already filed his nomination papers from Shikaripura assembly constituency.

“I am confident of ending Yeddyurappa’s dominance in the constituency. The people of the constituency will decide his fate”, said Bangarappa after filing his nomination papers along with hundreds of supporters.

The tough electoral battle facing the BJP leader assumes significance in the light of BJP’s claims that the party will secure a majority in the coming elections and Yeddyurappa will become the next Chief Minister of the State.

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa said Bangarappa’s decision to enter the fray from Shikaripura instead of Sagar in Shimoga district from where he usually contests was “part of a conspiracy hatched by the Congress and JD (S) to finish him”.

Yeddyurappa said the Congress and JD (S) were apprehensive that BJP would secure a majority if he were to tour the entire state. “Hence, they have planned to confine me to Shikaripura by fielding Bangarappa against me”, he said. “But, I will go ahead with my statewide tour and bring the BJP to power. I will campaign in Shikaripura only for three days as I know the people of the constituency very well. They know that they will be electing a Chief Minister this time and not just an MLA”, he said.
However, former Chief Minister S M Krishna denied that Congress party had entered into any understanding with Bangarappa in Shikaripura assembly constituency. However, he said he has to check up with Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee why the Congress party has not fielded any candidate in Shikaripura