Karnataka polls: BJP omits Yeddy’s son from fourth list; protests follow

NEW DELHI/ MYSURU: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s omission of former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s son from its fourth list for assembly elections led to protests and vandalism by party workers on Monday.

BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa. AFP file photo

New Delhi/ Mysuru, April 23

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s omission of former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s son from its fourth list for assembly elections led to protests and vandalism by party workers on Monda.

The BJP’s fourth list announced on Monday had seven names, bringing the total number of candidates announced so far to 220 of 224-member assembly.

BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa's son BY Vijayendra was seen as a likely candidate for Varuna assembly seat—where Congress is fielding incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra—in Mysuru, although Yeddyurappa announced at a party meeting later in the day that his son would not fight from the segment.

The announcement came after Vijayendra’s omission from the list led to BJP workers’ protest and clashes with police.

“Vijayendra is not filing nomination today, a common man (party worker) will be fielded and he will be filing the nomination," Yeddyurappa said at the meeting in Nanjanagudu, near Mysuru. "With folded hands I request all of you to support and bless that candidate and make him win."

Vijayendra has been campaigning in the segment for more than a fortnight now, and sources claimed he was geared to file his nomination. What led to the change remains unknown.

Vandalism

Omission of Vijayendra’s name from the list, and Yeddyurappa’s subsequent announcement led to BJP workers’ protest, forcing police to resort to lathicharge.

BJP workers also vandalised the stage after Yeddyurappa left.

Siddaramaiah, who has been representing Varuna since it became a separate assembly segment in 2008, will contest from neighbouring Chamundeshwari and Badami in north Karnataka this year.

Yeddyurappa's elder son BY Raghavendra is the sitting member of the assembly from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district.

Yeddyurappa himself will contest the election from Shikaripura.

Karnataka assembly elections are scheduled for May 12. Votes will be counted on May 15. PTI