Kolar is one of the Lok Sabha seats where the Bharatiya Janata Party faced problems in finalising a candidate. And the decision to field the former Bangarpet MLA M. Narayanaswamy has left D.S. Veeraiah, MLC and a ticket aspirant, and his supporters disappointed.
Mr. Veeraiah contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 and 2009 and lost to K.H. Muniyappa of the Congress. In 2004, he lost by a margin of about 10,000 votes and in 2009 by 25,000 votes.
As soon as the official announcement was made, supporters of Mr. Veeraiah staged a dharna at the Gandhi Park here on Friday, raising slogans against the denial of ticket to their leader.
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“Mr. Narayanaswamy could not win in his home constituency (Bangarpet) in the Assembly elections,” the protesters said, and questioned the logic behind selecting him for the Lok Sabha election.
Mr. Veeraiah is likely to decide soon on his future course of action. He began a tour of the constituency on Saturday to consult his supporters and well-wishers.