In a major embarrassment to BJP Karnataka, the party’s candidate for Ramanagara bypolls L Chandrashekar stepped aside from the election and rejoined Congress on Thursday, declaring support for his rival candidate—JD(S)’s Anitha Kumaraswamy, wife of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

“The BJP leaders have not honoured their commitment. There is no unity among them. They did not participate in the campaign. I was fed up of their attitude so I decided to retire from the contest,’’ Chandrashekar said in a statement. He claimed that the negligent and perfunctory attitude of BJP leaders was the main reason for his decision.

Son of C Lingappa, a Congress MLC currently in-charge of the party’s campaign committee for Ballari Lok Sabha bypolls, Chandrashekar had quit the GOP and joined BJP on 10 October in presence of BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa in Bengaluru.  

Angered with Chandrashekar’s decision to retire from the contest, Yeddyurappa on Thursday alleged that the Congress leaders bought him with money. “Let God do good to Chandrashekar,’’ he said while refusing to comment further.

Congressman father says 'no interference'

Congress MLC Lingappa claimed he had no clue about his son’s defection. “I tried to convince him against joining BJP when he had told me about his decision. He assured me to remain in Congress and joined BJP the very next day. I have not spoken to him for more than 20 days. If I supported that decision, why would I canvass for Congress candidate in Ballari instead of ensuring my son’s success in Ramanagara?” he asked, adding that his son is mature enough to take his own decisions.

“Nowadays, children who are in their 20’s do not listen to their parents. How can you expect my 50-year-old to listen to me?” Lingappa said explaining there are political discussions at home. “My wife looks after the house. I do not intrude into the lives of my sons and daughters-in-law at home. They mind their business, I mind my own. No interference,’’ he said.

When questioned on how a Congress leader like him had no prior inclination of the incident, Lingappa said, “You have to ask the leaders who admitted him into Congress. I think all Congress leaders are busy in an election campaign. They forgot to inform me.”

'Carried Congress culture of betrayal'

Many BJP leaders, including Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation, expressed shock over the baffling political move. “I am pained by Chandrashekar’s decision to retire from the contest. I had extended support and worked for him. I think the God will not forgive him for betraying BJP at a crucial time,’’ Sadananda Gowda said. He also said that BJP leader CP Yogeshwar had brought Chandrashekar to the saffron party since he was unhappy with Congress.

“Many leaders joined BJP during Assembly elections. Some of them would have joined the party with vested interests,” Gowda said. “We thought Chandrashekar’s entry would strengthen BJP in Ramanagara. I supported him when he applied for BJP ticket to contest from Ramanagara. I think Chandrashekar carried the Congress culture of betrayal and backstabbing with him while joining BJP. He has now shown his true colours. People will teach him a lesson. I am sure that he has no future in politics,’’ he added.

Speaking to media, BY Raghavendra, BJP candidate from Shivamogga, said he was aware of Congress and JD(S) leaders’ manipulations. “They were discussing the plan of ensuring a win for JD(S) candidate Anita Kumaraswamy from Ramanagara. Now, they have executed it by using money power,’’ Raghavendra said.

Speculations are rife about the role played by Minister for Irrigation DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh, an MP from Bengaluru Rural, in ensuring that Chandrashekar’s steps down from the contest and returns to Congress. Refuting the allegations, DK Suresh said, “BJP leaders are responsible for their candidate to withdraw from the contest. I have no role in this matter.”

Speaking with media persons at Tumakuru, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G Parameshwara claimed that the incident took place since BJP has no cadre in Ramanagara. “They fielded the candidate after knowing their weaknesses in Ramanagara. BJP candidate has announced retirement after coming to know that defeat is imminent in the upcoming by-election,’’ he said.

The Ramanagara bypoll was necessitated after CM Kumaraswamy vacated it following his success in both Ramanagara and Channapatna constituencies. Along with Ramanagara, by-elections will also be held in three Lok Sabha constituencies and one other Assembly constituency in the state on November 3. Results to the by-elections will be declared on November 6.