BJP MLC CP Yogeshwar resigns, to contest Channapatna Assembly bypoll

Hubballi (Karnataka) [India], October 21 (ANI): BJP leader CP Yogeeshwar on Monday said that he has resigned from the Karnataka Legislative Council to contest the November 13 assembly by-poll from Channapatna segment.
"Today, I have met the chairman (of Karnataka Legislative Council, Basavaraj Horatti) and resigned from the council membership. I am going to contest for the coming by-election," Yogeeshwar said.
Earlier, in the day, Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy responded to a query on speculation about Yogeshwar's potential candidature for Channapatna, which fell vacant after the JD(S) state president Kumaraswamy was elected to Lok Sabha from the Mandya parliamentary segment.
"We have already fielded a member of our own family as the BJP candidate for the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituency. I hope our allies will reciprocate this generosity, and I trust they will," he said.
Notably, Kumaraswamy defeated Yogeeshwar in the 2018 and 2023 assembly polls from the seat.
Kumaraswamy further mentioned, "There has been no discussion with me regarding this. I have not been informed, and there has been no proposal presented before me. I have only seen reports in the media."
When asked about Congress leaders allegedly meeting Yogeshwar, Kumaraswamy commented, "For the past fifteen days, rumours have been circulating that he might run as an independent candidate. Congress is eagerly waiting to bring him into their fold. Their goal is to create a division between us," he criticised.
Channapatna will go for by-polls on November 13.
On Sunday, Kumaraswamy asserted that certain individuals were conspiring to create a rift between JD(S) and BJP over the Channapatna Assembly seat to benefit the Congress candidate. Their plans, however, will not succeed, he added.
Kumaraswamy accused Congress of waiting for an opportunity to cause discord within the NDA alliance.
"Congress cannot win independently in Channapatna, which is why they are working hard to create a rift. I have been patient to ensure they don't get that chance. We still have four days left. We will have discussions, and a final decision will be made by Tuesday or Wednesday," he stated. (ANI)