Bengaluru: Following the political turmoil that has surfaced in the month-old dispensation in the state, intense political activities are being witnessed in the BJP camp as well.
If sources are to be believed, then beside its attempt to form the government here, the BJP is also looking for an able leader to lead Opposition in the Legislative Council after incumbent leader K.S. Eshwarappa got elected to the Assembly. It is now believed that some party men have floated the name of Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandalaje for this position.
The BJP can send one candidate to the Council from the Legislative Assembly. Though many aspirants are in a queue to claim that seat, Yeddyurappa is keen to send Shobha Karandlaje to the Council following his unsuccessful attempt to field her from Yeshvantapura Assembly seat in recently held Assembly elections.
Sources in state BJP say that party President B.S. Yeddyurappa is keen to bring Shobha Karandlaje to the Upper House to take on the coalition government. However, it is not going to be an easy task given the fact that there are many who are opposing Shobha in the party. Senior BJP leaders R. Ashok, C.T. Ravi and BJP national joint secretary Santhosh may oppose her candidature to the council, sources added.
Sources maintained that majority party MPs of Karnataka are eager to return to state politics because of their minimal role in national politics and the attitude of central leadership. The BJP MPs have expressed their wish to return to state politics during the recently held RSS baitak, sources added.
But, speaking to Newskarnataka.com, Shobha Karandlaje ruled out her return to state politics. ” I am not an aspirant for opposition leader’s post in the Council. Since Lok Sabha elections are fast approaching, I am preparing to contest, so there is no question of my return to state politics”, Shobha Karandlaje said.
“Neither I nor my supporters expressed desire about my return to state politics. In fact, my opponents in the party are capable of spreading such kind of rumors to push someone to that post”, she asserted.
However, Shobha Karandlaje agreed on the fact that there is a leadership vacuum in the Council to take on the coalition government.
