BJP denied Prathap Simha ticket fearing defeat says Siddaramaiah

The Chief Minister was in Kodagu to campaign for Mr Lakshman, the Congress candidate for the Mysuru Lok Sabha seat. Photo: Special Arrangement

Madikeri: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday, April 14, accused the BJP of failing to renominate incumbent MP Prathap Simha from the Mysuru parliamentary constituency due to fears of electoral defeat.

Speaking at a gathering during the Janadhwani-2 campaign for Congress candidate M. Lakshman in Madikeri, Mr Siddaramaiah said that the BJP, fearing defeat, chose to give the ticket to Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar instead.

He criticized the BJP MPs from Karnataka for not advocating for the state’s interests, particularly during the severe drought when the state received little support from the Centre. The MPs failed to speak up when the state government requested its fair share of taxes from the Centre, he asserted.

Also Read: Political Maneuvering Intensifies in Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha Race

"If you vote for our candidate, Mr. Lakshman, he will represent your voice in Mysuru and Kodagu," Mr Siddaramaiah said, highlighting Mr. Lakshman's humble background and role as the party's spokesperson and Kodagu in-charge.

Siddaramaiah questions BJP MLAs' contributions in Kodagu

Taking a swipe at former BJP MLAs from Kodagu, Appachu Ranjan and K.G. Bopaiah, Mr Siddaramaiah noted that Kodagu now has two MLAs from the Congress and questioned the contributions of the BJP MLAs to Kodagu’s development over the past 25 years.

He praised veteran politician M.C. Nanaiah, who was present at the event, as the best Law Minister he had seen in his political career.

The Chief Minister was in Kodagu to campaign for Mr Lakshman, the Congress candidate for the Mysuru Lok Sabha seat.