With JD(S) candidate nowhere around, BJP still undecided, cakewalk for Siddaramaiah in Varuna

MYSURU: Congress leader Siddaramaiah may not face much of a contest in Varuna constituency where the BJP is still undecided about its strategy while the Janata Dal (Secular) candidate has been nowhere to be found, leaving party workers confused.

The JD(S) announced its first list of 93 candidates over a month ago and named Abhishek as it constestant from Varuna segment. However, he has not held a single election meeting in the constituency so far and has not even met people. Abhishek apparently is not even responding to calls from party workers.

This has led to speculation whether the JD(S) has some sort of understanding with the Congress though it had publicly announced that it will put up a good fight wherever its candidates are contesting.

On the other hand, senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa has categorically said that his son B Y Vijayendra will not constest from Varuna. This has upset the BJP’s calculations where it was looking to tap into Lingayat votes. The BJP core committee, which met over three days to finalise candidates, has proposed three names — Sadananda, Ka Pu Siddalinga Swamy and Pratap, thus confirming that Vijayendra will not be contesting from there.

There are also questions over Minister V Somanna contesting from the constituency as he has been directed by the party leadership to focus on Chamarajanagar.

With the BJP still undecided on its official candidate, it looks like Siddaramaiah will not have to face much of a contest, at least for now.