BJP ticket aspirants continue to keep their fingers crossed with the seats in Mysuru district not figuring in the first list of candidates announced by the party on Monday.
It was hoped in party circles here that the candidates for Mysuru seats, especially the city constituencies – Krishnaraja, Chamaraja and Narasimharaja – would be announced in the first list. Barring Madikeri and Srirangapatna seats, ticket to other seats in the region have not been announced.
Former Minister S.A. Ramdas, H.V. Rajeev, and T.S. Srivatsa are among the strong contenders for the ticket from Krishnaraja constituency. Three-time MLA Mr. Ramdas had lost the last election to M.K. Somashekar of the Congress.
Mr. Rajeev, who has been actively involved in the Swachh Bharat campaign and is a strong follower of former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, is hopeful of getting the ticket. The name of Mr. Srivatsa was also doing the rounds. Party spokesperson and actor Malavika Avinash is also a ticket aspirant.
In Chamaraja too, there are three contenders for the ticket. Former MUDA chairman L. Nagendra, corporator Nandeesh Preetham (son of former MLA H.S. Shankaralinge Gowda), and Manjunath, president of Mysuru city BJP unit, are the aspirants.
Mr. Nagendra unsuccessfully contested against Vasu of the Congress. A close aide of senior party leader from Bengaluru, Mr. Nagendra is keen to make a second attempt in the Vokkaliga-dominated constituency. Mr. Preetham is also lobbying for the ticket, putting forth his father’s contribution as a four-time MLA and also his services as the area corporator. Doctor-turned-politician Manjunath is also in the race.
Former Mayor Sandesh Swamy and Premkumar are the contenders for the ticket from Narasimharaja segment.
Mr. Swamy quit the JD (S) and joined the BJP in the presence of BJP national president Amit Shah here recently. Mr. Swamy, brother of “disgruntled” JD (S) MLC and hotelier Sandesh Nagaraj, had said his entry was unconditional but pointed out that he was aspiring for the ticket. Projecting himself as a ticket aspirant, Mr. Swamy has already started campaigning.
Though the fight in Chamundeshwari is between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and G.T. Deve Gowda, the BJP is planning to field its candidate. Former corporator Shankar is a ticket aspirant.
When contacted, BJP leader M.A. Mohan said party ticket for the Mysuru seats are expected in the second list.
Sources said the party is facing a challenge in finalising the candidate for Krishnaraja constituency. The fight is between Mr. Ramdas and Mr. Rajeev, who unsuccessfully contested on KJP ticket in the 2013 polls.
