Give bypoll ticket to loyal party workers, BJP aspirants urge leadership

Davangere: Ahead of the by-election to the Davanagere South Assembly Constituency, several ticket aspirants of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have collectively urged the party leadership to give the nomination to leaders who have worked for the organisation for decades.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, former mayor B. G. Ajay Kumar said that party workers who have dedicated years of service to building the BJP in the region should be considered for the ticket in the upcoming by-election.

“We have worked day and night for strengthening the party. Many of us have spent decades building the organisation. In the by-election, the party should give an opportunity to those who have sincerely worked for it,” he said.

Ajay Kumar said that there are around eight aspirants within the party who are seeking the BJP ticket for the bypoll. However, he emphasised that all aspirants are united and committed to ensuring the party’s victory.

“There are about eight aspirants for the BJP ticket in the by-election. Whoever gets the ticket, we will work wholeheartedly — with body, mind and resources — to ensure the candidate’s victory,” he added.

He also expressed concern over the possibility of giving the ticket to outsiders instead of long-time party workers.

“Many leaders who have served the party for 30 to 40 years are waiting for an opportunity. If outsiders are given tickets, where should those who worked for the party all these years go?” he questioned.

Responding to a query, Ajay Kumar said G. B. Vinay Kumar was not an opponent and that the BJP would welcome him if he decided to join the party.

Meanwhile, former district BJP president Yashavanthrao Jadhav said the list of ticket aspirants had already been conveyed to the party leadership.

“The party leadership is aware of the list of aspirants. We are united in our goal to defeat the Congress and restore the BJP’s strength in the district,” he said.

Several BJP leaders including Devaramane Shivakumar, Guru Sogi, Tinker Manjanna and Shivanagouda Patil were present at the press meet.

Party leaders also claimed that internal differences between factions led by former minister M. P. Renukacharya and former Union minister G. M. Siddeshwara had been resolved.

Leaders said they have decided to forget past differences and work together to ensure the BJP’s victory in the upcoming by-election.