BJP leader Somanna meets high command, requests for opportunity to contest RS polls

BENGALURU: Former minister and BJP leader V Somanna, who had planned to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Tumakuru, has now changed his plans and expressed his intention to be elected to the Rajya Sabha.

Speaking after meeting the party high command in New Delhi, he said that he has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to contest the Rajya Sabha election.

Somanna, who had gone to Delhi to meet the party senior leaders, had been staying for the last four days. Today, he met BJP national president J P Nadda and expressed his unhappiness over the developments in the state during a half-hour conversation with Amit Shah. He claimed that the BJP was deliberately defeated in the Assembly elections.

Somanna taunted B S Yediyurappa indirectly and expressed his displeasure against the family for not giving priority to seniority and not treating him with respect. Also Rajya Sabha polls should be allowed to deviate from electoral politics, he said and is learnt to have discussed the political prospects of his son Arun Somanna.

Talking to reporters, he said it was a very healthy and positive conversation. “They said that I should be in the mainstream. I asked for an opportunity to contest the Rajya Sabha election. If they give a chance to work in any three constituencies, and I will ensure the party’s victory”, he said.

“I have discussed some important points. I can’t speak openly about it. The meeting with Amit Shah was very comforting and he said he would use my services. What happened in the past will not be allowed to happen in the future. They will give instructions. I have not backed away from electoral politics. I will take the decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls as per the decision of the High Command”, Somanna added.