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Sources indicate that Sumalatha Ambareesh, who ceded the Mandya Lok Sabha seat to H.D. Kumaraswamy, is a favored choice for the Upper House candidacy.
During a recent core committee meeting, the state unit reportedly forwarded a list of 15 names to the central leadership. Notably, Sumalatha’s name was not on it. However, it appears that the central leaders are now planning a surprise move by including Sumalatha and M. Nagaraj, an education expert with an ABVP background, in the final list.
Current member N. Ravikumar is likely the only candidate from the state list who will be retained.
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There was considerable interest among senior party leaders in nominating former BJP National General Secretary C.T. Ravi for the Upper House election.
Despite his inclusion in the list of potential candidates, reports suggest that the central leadership is not in favor of his nomination. Leaders such as Opposition Leader R. Ashoka and Dr. C. N. Ashwathnarayan reportedly opposed Ravi’s selection, arguing that tickets should not be awarded to those who had previously lost.
Granting the ticket to Sumalatha would fulfill a promise made during the Lok Sabha ticket distribution while addressing both the woman and Vokkaliga quotas. This strategic decision underscores the central leadership’s broader electoral calculations.
M. Nagaraj’s nomination is reportedly backed by the Sangh Parivar, recognizing his contributions to the education sector and his loyalty to the party. This move also prioritizes the North Karnataka region. However, there is ongoing debate about whether both candidates from the backward classes will be accommodated.
The final decision is expected to be unveiled on Saturday evening, putting an end to all speculation.