Dissidence within the district unit of BJP has come to the fore with T.R. Srinivas, a leading psychiatrist, miffed over the party turning down his request to be fielded in the Ballari Lok Sabha bypolls, deciding to contest as an Independent.
Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, Dr. Srinivas said this was not for the first time the party had denied him ticket to contest in elections. “In 2011, when B. Sriramulu resigned as MLA, after the arrest of his close friend G. Janardhana Reddy, and floated a new political party, it was the BJP leaders who approached me and wanted me to contest in the byelection that followed, keeping in mind my social services. But I was not given ticket and was told I would be considered during the next elections. Later, Sriramulu joined the party again and my candidature was not considered at all in the elections held subsequently,” he said.
He did no t wish to comment over the name of J. Shanta, former MP and sister of Mr. Sriramulu, being cleared as the BJP’s candidate. He, however, accused the party of playing family politics. “I am keen to contest and I will as an Independent. I will file my nomination papers on Monday,” Dr. Srinivas said.
