The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): In a public display of dissent, BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has expressed his displeasure with the party and indicated his readiness to quit electoral politics. This comes days after he was denied a ticket from the Bangalore North Lok Sabha seat.
Speaking at a press conference, Gowda claimed he had been invited to join the Congress party but firmly stated that he would not join the opposition camp. “I am upset with the BJP as the election ticket (from Bangalore North seat) has been given to someone else in my place. Yes, I was invited to join the Congress party, but I will not join the Congress party,” he said.
However, Gowda maintained his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “Narendra Modi should become Prime Minister again.”
Recounting the events leading to his ticket denial, Gowda revealed that he had initially withdrawn from the election race, but other BJP leaders, including former chief ministers, had persuaded him to contest.
Without naming individuals, Gowda criticized the “dictatorial attitude” within the party, stating, “A dictatorial attitude doesn’t look good in democracy. I will not stop until the party is purified. Sidelining those who have toiled hard for the party is not right.”
In an apparent jibe at veteran BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra, who is the state BJP chief, Gowda remarked, “Many people who have taken the responsibility are selfish in nature. People are saying that the party has become a family.”
Gowda vowed to work towards the “purification” of the BJP, stating, “I have made it very clear that fighting against Parivaarvaad (dynastic politics) is part of the purification of the BJP. We will work together for the Lok Sabha polls, but after the polls, we will work towards the purification of the party.”
Karnataka, with 28 Lok Sabha seats, witnessed a strong BJP performance in 2019, with the party winning 25 seats and securing a 51.7% vote share. The Congress won one seat with a 32.1% vote share, while the JD(S) and an Independent candidate secured one seat each.
The Model Code of Conduct is currently in effect in Karnataka, with Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 4 and April 26 for 14 seats each.
Sadananda Gowda’s public expression of displeasure with the BJP and his willingness to consider leaving electoral politics highlights the internal rifts within the party in Karnataka, where the denial of tickets to certain aspirants has led to dissent and rebellion.