Kundapura: In Kundapur Assembly constituency, BJP was in search for a strong candidate to take on charismatic leader – former Kundapur MLA Haladi Srinivas Shetty.
But the party is now in a fix that not only it can not find a popular leader like him but also sweating it out to deal with Haladi’s supporters within the party.
Haladi had earlier annouced that he will contest from Kundapur as an independent candidate.
Haladi Srinivas Shetty, a four time BJP MLA from Kundapur resigned from the party last year alleging that party leaders had reneged their word on giving him a berth in the Jagadish Shettar ministry.
Besides the loss of Haladi, the announcement of veteran leaders A G Kodgi and Manigopal that they will not campaign for assembly polls has come as a big blow to the BJP.
No leaders to lead campaign
As BJP had to struggle to find a candidate who could keep shoulder with Haladi, it finally relied on Kishore Kumar who is Kundapur Block BJP president.
However, sources told that veteran leader A G Kodgi had an eye in Kundapur seat for his son Kiran Kodgi.
But being good friend of Haladi, it is said that Kiran stepped back from contesting. As a result, Kodgi declared his unavailability for BJP campaigning.
Similarly, another veteran leader, Manigopal, who worked all through the years for BJP, has finally decided to withdraw from campaigning process. He had made it clear that he will not campaign for the party.
Adding to the woes, recently seven elected members of Kundapur TMC have openly declared their support for Haladi, before district-in-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary. They have also said that they will campaign for Haladi.
Kundapur poll result will also prove people’s verdict on Haladi’s decision to quit the party. Who would benefit in Kundapur?
Whether the Bharatiya Janata Party through Haladi’s image or Haladi cashing in on party platform, is the big question that election result can only provide.
