Day after BJP first list in Karnataka, rebellion, resignation & tears

BENGALURU: A day after it announced the first list of 189 candidates for the May 10 assembly polls, BJP in Karnataka was confronted with emotionally charged rebellion with two MLCs quitting the party on Wednesday and a six-time MLA announcing retirement from electoral politics, saying there "was no value for honesty". Another MLA sobbed before media, saying there was "lack of grace" in how things were handled.
Former deputy CM Laxman Savadi said he was not "shameless to go with a begging bowl" for a seat, while announcing his resignation as an MLC and from the party.He was denied a ticket from Athani in Belagavi district.

Seven MLAs, including Madal Virupakshappa, were denied ticket in the 2nd list for 23 seats released late night. BJP may release names for 12 remaining seats on Friday.
Party insiders said Savadi is contemplating joining Congress and contesting from Athani. "I'll announce my next political move on Thursday and start working on it on Friday," said the 63-year-old.

BJP's Athani ticket has been given to sitting MLA Mahesh Kumathalli, who was backed by former minister and sugar baron Ramesh Jarkiholi. He was among the defectors, including Jarkiholi, who helped BJP bring down the Congress-JD(S) coalition and form its government in 2019.
Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat broke down in front of mediapersons a day after his close friend, Yashpal Suvarna, was given the ticket. "I'm not sad over the party's decision, but I'm pained by the way it has treated me. (Union minister) Amit Shah had called and informed Jagadish Shettar about their plans. I do not expect Shah to call me, but at least the district president should have informed me in advance," Bhat said. The hijab controversy, that made headlines, started in Udupi after Bhat took certain decisions.
S Angara, minister for ports and inland transport and six-time MLA from Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district, announced retirement from politics after he was denied a ticket. BJP has nominated Bhagirathi Murulya for the seat.

"This is not the way an MLA who toiled for the party is treated. I have been working for the party and society without blemish, but there is no value for honesty," he said. The 58-year-old said he won't work for the party anymore. "Let the party take care of the candidate it has fielded from Sullia," he added.
Jagadish Shettar was summoned to Delhi by the party leadership after he openly expressed unhappiness at his name not figuring in the first list, while indicating that he would contest as a rebel.
He met BJP national president JP Nadda, accompanied by Union minister Pralhad Joshi. After the meeting, Shettar said he cited his experience, including six wins in assembly polls, and was told by the party president that the issue will be discussed with other senior officials before taking a final call.
BJP insiders said the development is a clear indication that BJP will field the former CM, who is from the Lingayat community after initially toying with the idea of dropping him as part of its plans to nudge senior functionaries to make way for younger leadership. Former CM B S Yediyurappa in Bengaluru said, "99%, Shettar will get a ticket".
Another BJP MLC, R Shankar, also resigned from the legislative council after the party ignored his request for a ticket to contest from Ranebennur in Haveri district.
Senior BJP MLA KS Eshwarappa's supporters held several meetings and resigned to put pressure on the party to make him withdraw his retirement or give the ticket to his son, KE Kantesh.