Karnataka BJP MLA Threatens To Field Son As Independent If Party Doesn't Change Chitradurga LS Candidate

The BJP MLA Chandrappa said that even present Chitradurga candidate Govind Karjol had earlier recommended his son Raghuchandan to contest the Lok Sabha election. 

Govind Karjol is former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and former MLA of Mudhol. ( Image Source :X/@GovindKarjol )

With less than a month left before the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, the internal strife among party members shows no signs of abating. Adding to the growing list of discontented party workers is former BJP MLA Chandrappa. On Friday, the BJP MLA issued a warning, stating that his son would run as an independent candidate if the party does not replace former Deputy CM Govind Kargol as the candidate from Chitradurga (reserved) in Karnataka.

After a meeting with his supporters, Holalkere MLA M. Chandrappa said that his son Raghuchandran was mulling on submitting the nomination on April 3.

He said, "My supporters in eight assembly constituencies of Chitradurga Parliamentary constituency have stated that they will support me. We will decide after considering the pros and cons. The time is not up. We are asking for the BJP ticket from the Chitradurga seat. We think that the high command understands our pain."

Further, he said that the even present candidate Govind Karjol had earlier recommended his son Raghuchandan to contest the Lok Sabha election. 

"Now, he has been made the candidate. Is that right?" he asked, according to a report on ANI.

The BJP MLA said that he was even ready to face any consequences if the party initiated action against him. 

Raghuchandan declared that he had applied for the BJP ticket for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, with former CM B.S. Yediyurappa and national General Secretary B.L. Santhosh assuring him of a ticket allocation in 2024.

However, he said that to his dismay, the ticket was granted to Govind Karjol instead of him. 

In the Chitradurga Parliamentary constituency, the BJP has solely secured victory in the Holalkere Assembly segment. "In light of this injustice, to whom should BJP workers turn?" he asked. Later, Raghuchandan said that he would abide by the decision of his father.