'Sharath Bachegowda expelled from BJP'

Bengaluru: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday expelled rebel candidate Sharath Bache Gowda, who is contesting from Hoskote constituency as an independent candidate.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had indicated action against Sharath Bachegowda’s father and BJP MP from Chikkaballapura BN Bachegowda, who has been keeping away from the campaign for the December 5 bypolls for 15 assembly constituencies.

“It has already been decided (on expelling Sharath), there is no question of him remaining in the party,” he said.

Yediyurappa said disqualified Congress MLA MTB Nagaraj, who has joined BJP, had been given the ticket for Hoskote only after taking Sharath and his father into confidence.

Sharath Bachegowda, son of BJP MP BN Bache Gowda had filed his nomination as an independent candidate after the party denied him ticket and fielded Nagaraj.

JD(S) has decided to support Sharath, who lost to Nagaraj in 2018 assembly elections, and said it would not field its candidate in Hoskote.

The strong reaction against Sharath came as it became clear he would not withdraw and his father keeping away from campaigning for BJP’s official nominee despite being a party MP.

It may be recalled that BJP has given tickets to 13 disqualified MLAs for the bypolls in their respective seats, which has triggered disgruntlement in some constituencies, including Hoskote.

In Kagwad, former MLA Raju Kage has quit the BJP and has been fielded by the Congress.