Unrest among BJP workers over Nirani

Bagalkot: Former Minister Murugesh Nirani’s youngest brother, Sangamesh Nirani’s decision to contest as an independent candidate in the Jamkhandi constituency has irked the BJP workers of the region since it would be a threat to the win of the BJP candidate Shrikant Kulkarni. Kulkarni is the one Brahmin candidate from the BJP in the 86 constituencies of north Karnataka.

While Brahmin supporters of the BJP are already worried that their community has not been properly represented in the distribution of tickets in this election, the failure of the BJP in reconciling with Nirani and obtaining his support for the Brahmin candidate Kulkarni is highly criticised. Party leaders accuse BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa for this state of affairs.

Murugesh Nirani was elected from Bilgi in 2008, but lost his seat in the 2013 elections. Both Murugesh and Sangamesh tried for a ticket from Jamkhandi this time, but the party did not oblige. Sangamesh’s independent entry has drawn flak from the party workers and he was expelled from the party. Now, BJP activists feel that the party’s inability to make Sangamesh withdraw his nomination will cost the BJP since it slims down the chances of Kulkarni winning. The fact that Sangamesh is a Lingayat Panchamasali candidate makes matters worse for Kulkarni. In addition to this, Kulkarni’s competition from the Congress is Siddu Nyamagouda, whom he lost to in 2013.

Meanwhile, Nyamagouda also faces competition from Shrishail Dalawai from the Kuruba community, who is supported by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.