S. A. Hemanth
Bengaluru, April 10: It is in a very hard way the BJP is slowly realizing and learning how difficult it is to prevent ‘family politics’ from coming into play.
As many 20 top leaders have been lobbying to get ticket either to their sons or brother in the May 10 Assembly elections. But the BJP has taken a stand that ‘dynastic politics’ will not be entertained. Having taken such a stance, now the BJP is in a fix with the top leaders urging the Central Leadership to consider their kin as candidate.
According to sources, Late Umesh Katti’s family has asked for ticket to his son Nithish Katti. V. Somanna wants his son Arun Somanna to be accommodated in Gubbi while he himself is contesting from Govindarajanagar. K. S. Eshwarappa wants his son Kanthesh be given ticket in Shimoga while M. T. B. Nagaraj is asking ticket for his son Nitish. Govind Karjol has gone too far in his demand. He wants both his sons to be accommodated with ticket.
Senior legislator G. H. Thippa Reddy is asking ticket for his son Siddharth, while minister Anand Singh also wants ticket to his son Siddharth. Former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa has already announced that his son B. Y. Vijayendra will contest from Shikaripura, the seat vacated by the Lingayat strongman.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been going on hammer and tongs against the Congress for promoting “Vamshavaad” (Dynasty Politics). Having taken such a stance, how can they both agree for the demands of their own party ministers and legislators?
The demand by ministers and sitting legislators to give ticket to their kith and kin has put the Central leadership in a fix.
Actually, the BJP Central Leadership is in a Catch – 22 situation. If it agrees to give ticket to the kith and kin of the leaders, then both Modi and Amit Shah will have to swallow their words uttered against ‘dynastic politics’. On the other hand, if the BJP sticks to its ‘principled stance’ and refuse to give ticket to the children, then there is a risk of these leaders sabotaging the prospects.
It remains to be seen if the BJP practices the ‘politics of principle’ or ‘politics of convenience’
EOM