In a surprise move ahead of the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, Ayanur Manjunath, a MLC of the BJP, has announced his resignation from the primary membership of the party and from his post as an MLC. Manjunath cited his dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership as the reason for his decision. He was particularly unhappy with former minister KS Eshwarappa’s attempts to secure a ticket for his son from the Shivamogga Assembly seat, which Manjunath is also aspiring to contest.
Manjunath’s decision to quit and contest as an independent candidate could potentially dent the BJP’s prospects in the polls. The BJP has been facing growing dissent from within, with several leaders expressing their dissatisfaction with the leadership’s handling of various issues. Manjunath’s move follows the resignation of two other MLCs from the BJP ahead of the elections.
The BJP is seeking to retain power in the state, making the upcoming elections crucial for the party. However, reports suggest that Eshwarappa’s alleged interference in ticket distribution has led to a rift within the BJP, with several leaders reportedly unhappy with the situation. Manjunath has challenged Eshwarappa and his son to contest against him in the upcoming polls.
It remains to be seen how Manjunath’s decision will impact the BJP’s prospects in the elections. The party is facing a tough challenge from the opposition parties and is under pressure to perform well in the polls. With the resignation of Manjunath and other leaders, the BJP’s campaign could potentially lose some of its momentum.