Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday hit out at his party colleague and the former Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok for opposing his candidature in the Bangalore North constituency on the ground that he was an “outsider”. Addressing presspersons here, Mr. Sadananda Gowda said, “I have every right to contest elections from any constituency. The party will decide whether I am an outsider or insider.”
It is learnt that the BJP has proposed to field Mr. Sadananda Gowda from Bangalore North constituency instead of MP D.B. Chandre Gowda.
However, Mr. Ashok, it is said, is keen on contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Bangalore North.
Mr. Chandre Gowda defeated C.K. Jaffer Sharief of the Congress in 2009.
Mr. Sadananda Gowda said that he served as the party’s State president and the Chief Minister. Mr. Ashok has no right to declare him an outsider. The party high command would decide who would be the most suitable candidate for the constituency, he said.
Meeting todayThe spat between the two BJP leaders through media statements has attracted the wrath of the BJP. According to sources, the party has taken the issue seriously and is likely to address it during its core committee meeting here on Wednesday. The party is said to be concerned over the two leaders publicly opposing each other’s candidature.
