BJP MLA SA Ramadoss, who was denied ticket from Krishnaraja assembly constituency in Mysuru, is expected to announce his next move soon after holding talks with his supporters.
“I have been thrown out of my mother’s house where I was living for the last 30 years. I will discuss with my party workers, who have worked hard for me, and decide whether I should stay at my mother’s house or not”, Mr. Ramadoss said, adding that BJP’s city unit president TS Srivatsa should be fielded from Krishnaraja. told reporters after making the decision.
Meanwhile, former chief minister Siddaramaiah said the Congress was ready to welcome anyone who accepts the principles of the party. He was responding to a question from reporters whether Mr. Ramdas was welcome to join the Congress.
Mr Ramadoss, who has won the constituency four times out of six elections since 1994, refused to meet a delegation of BJP leaders, including Mysuru MP Prathap Simha, Mr Srivatsa and the party’s state unit vice-president Rajendra Gave. Called at his residence in Mysore on Monday night.
Mr Ramdas, who was present in the house when the delegation of BJP leaders arrived, did not meet them. His aides told the visitors that Mr. Ramdas would give them an appointment only on Tuesdays.
Shri Pratap Simha told reporters that BJP leaders can understand the pain of Shri Ramdas, who has not been given a party ticket. Mr. Simha claimed that Rajeev Babbar, the party’s observer for the elections, spoke to Mr. Ramdas and the latter promised to abide by the party’s decision and would himself explain to party workers, who were upset over denial of tickets to them. ,
Mr. Simha also expressed confidence that Mr. Ramdas would be with Srivastava at the time of filing his nomination papers on April 20.
Meanwhile, Srivastava met former chief minister BS Yediyurappa in Bengaluru on Tuesday and sought his blessings to contest Krishnaraja. Srivatsa was accompanied by the party’s state vice-president Rajendra, general secretary Siddharaju and spokespersons MG Mahesh and MA Mohan.
Later in Mysuru, Mr. Srivatsa held a meeting of party workers from Krishnaraja assembly constituency at the party office. MV Ravishankar, former president of Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited, corporators and office-bearers of the city unit of the party were present.
In the coming elections, Mr. Srivatsa will face MK Somashekar of Congress and KV Mallesh of JD(S).