"Confident of getting substantial support in Shiggaon", former Karnataka CM Bommai

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 16 : Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai said on Wednesday that the list of candidates for the by-elections in three constituencies, including Shiggaon, will be prepared after discussions in the Core Committee within the next two or three days.
Speaking to the media here on Wednesday, he said that the Core Committee has already discussed the potential candidates for the three Assembly constituencies. Three teams have visited the constituencies and gathered feedback from locals, based on which the list of probable candidates has been submitted. The membership drive has helped in strengthening the party at the grassroots level.
"Since Shiggaon is the constituency I represent, I carry a greater responsibility. Our party's Karnataka in-charge secretary, Radha Mohan Agarwal, visited the constituency and held meetings with local leaders to gather feedback. We are fully prepared for the election there, and I am confident of receiving substantial support. I believe we will secure a winning margin similar to the 36,000 votes I received in the previous election", Bommai said.
The MP said that discussion on candidate selection has already taken place, and the list of aspirants has been submitted. In the next two or three days, the state Core Committee will review the list and forward it to the High Command for final approval. The decision will be made in consultation with central leaders.
When asked about his son Bharath Bommai's candidature, the former CM said that he has no desire for his son to contest the elections, and he hasn't proposed his name. Though the matter was brought up during a Core Committee meeting, but he was not present. The state president of the party has assured that the decision will be discussed with him before finalizing anything.
After the Lok Sabha elections, his son has not been active in the constituency. While several people may have suggested his name, he hasn't proposed it officially nor submitted any applications. He has been focusing on his business, and don't want that to be disrupted. Additionally, he is considering providing opportunities for others, Bommai pointed out.
When asked about former minister Murugesh Nirani contesting the election, Bommai responded that Nirani had expressed his interest in running, but the High Command will make the final decision. The matter of outsiders contesting instead of locals will also be decided by the High Command. " I have already held meetings with local aspirants, and over 50 people have submitted applications, with around five or six being serious contenders".
He said he has spoken in favor of BJP MLC Yogeshwar to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for the Channapatna by-election. A group of BJP leaders, including himself, met with Union Minister to discuss Yogeshwar's candidacy. Kumaraswamy has agreed to discuss the matter with the party's High Command, and the final decision will be made jointly.
"We know what Yogeshwar has in mind. Along with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, we have made all necessary efforts to support him,"he said.
Speaking about the Sandur constituency, Bommai pointed out ,"Sandur is a reserved constituency for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Former minister Nagendra claimed that there has been no corruption in the Valmiki Development Corporation, but the Chief Minister has stated that Rs 89 crore out of a total Rs 187 crore was misappropriated and will be recovered. So, who is telling the truth?" Bommai questioned.
"If there was no corruption, why did the government take action? People across the state are angry with this government, and the ST community feels betrayed by a government that won with their votes. This will have consequences for the Sandur by-election," he added.
Answering about the resignation of Marigowda from the MUDA (Mysore Urban Development Authority) Chairman post, Bommai said that despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claiming no mistakes or legal violations in MUDA, he returned the sites. During the investigation into MUDA's corruption, the CM had said that he wouldn't resign, yet Marigowda has resigned now. This indicates that there was indeed corruption, and the CM must own responsibility.