RS: BJP springs a surprise by rewarding tickets to ordinary workers

Bengaluru,08 June(HS): The national high command of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party sprung a surprise by rewarding two ordinary workers with Rajya Sabha tickets neglecting hectic political lobbying by the political heavyweights and the like of them.

Iranna Kadadi of Belagavi in Mumbai Karnataka region and Ashok Gasti of Raichur belonging to the backward Hyderabad Karnataka area, hitherto much unknown for power lobbying in party politics were pleasantly surprised  when their names were announced Monday afternoon.

Umesh Katti, former minister and eight times MLA had been in the forefront to ensure that his brother Ramesh Katti got the party ticket to contest the Rajya Sabha elections.

When the whole world is embroiled into the Coronavirus pandemic, he found the time conducive to play petty politics as he held a dinner meeting with some disgruntled ruling party legislators who also lost the race in entering the state cabinet just a few days back to register his anger for still not being inducted into the cabinet.

He was angry for being let out of the BS Yediyurappa ministry. The septuagenarian chief minister busy day in and out into Coronavirus related official works, sensing the danger of dissident activities summoned Umesh Katti to pacify and reassure him of a ministerial berth.

But Umesh Katti was not to be placated with the oft-repeated assurance. He put forth his renewed demand of ensuring the party ticket to his brother Ramesh Katti for contesting the Rajya Sabha elections.

It may be recollected here that Ramesh Katti, former Chikkodi Lok Sabha Member was denied BJP ticket in the previous Parliamentary elections in preference to Appasaheb Jolle. The latter is the husband of Ms Shashikala Jolle, Nippani MLA and presently Women and Child Welfare Minister.

According to Umesh Katti, he was then promised of a Rajya Sabha ticket to his former MP brother for extending support to Appasaheb Jolle. According to party sources, he had even pleaded with the CM to consider his brother for the candidature of Rajya Sabha even if he wasn’t accommodated into the cabinet.

Prabhakar Kore, sitting Rajya Sabha MP from the Belagavi district had also done all possible efforts to seek renomination. He has already completed two terms as Rajya Sabha MP from the BJP. Prior to these terms, he had also been Rajya Sabha Member on behalf of the Indian National Congress(INC).

He quit the Congress when he was denied a chance to contest the upper house of Parliament once again. Then he bid adieu to Congress and switched sides to become a Rajya Sabha MP from the BJP.

Interestingly all such big names including Prakash Shetty, a hotelier was dumped by the central party paving way for unheard names in party’s  power politics till date.

With the selection of party nominees to contest the Rajya Sabha polls, the ruling saffron party seems to have laid a path for fresh dissidence within the ruling party for now. To what extent these dissidents may think of stooping only needs to be awaited and seen.