BJP undeterred by bypoll loss, sets its eyes on 2018 elections

Bengaluru, Apr 16: The BJP, it seems, has not given up on Nanjangud and Gundlupet despite losing the byelection battle to the Congress. It has realised that keeping the 2018 Assembly elections in view, it is worth keeping party workers enthusiastic.

BJP state president B?S?Yeddyurappa and local leaders will address party workers in Gundlupet town around 11.30 am on Monday and at around 4 pm move to Nanjangud town.

In a statement, the party said it has begun preparations for the next Assembly elections. With the Congress giving a tough fight in Gundlupet and Nanjangud, it is essential to encourage BJP workers to work hard. The results have proved that the only alternative to the Congress in these constituencies is the BJP, it added.

Former minister V?Srinivas Prasad, who contested as the BJP nominee from Nanjangud, said he would join Yeddyurappa to thank BJP workers.

C?S?Niranjankumar, the BJP candidate who lost in Gundlupet, said the BJP has improved its vote base in the constituency, which is a positive sign.

In an interaction with DH on?Saturday, he said the BJP secured around 66,000 votes in the last two Assembly elections. But this time, it polled 77,383 votes. This clearly shows that the only alternative to the Congress is the BJP, he said. Replying to a question, he said, “In the Begur zilla panchayat limits, I secured 3,800 votes less than the Congress candidate and in Gundlupet town, it was 3,000 less. In Angala zilla panchayat limits, I was 2,000 votes short. But I did well in Arave, Terakanambi and Kabballi. It is time for me to thank my voters. I will face the next election under tremendous pressure because I have lost the poll this time.”

Asked for the reasons for his defeat, Prasad said, “I expected 75% of the total SC votes. But I secured just 55%. I expected 70% of the total Lingayat votes to be in my pocket. But I fell short by 5%. Kurubas, Upparas and minorities stood by the Congress.”

He also said the Congress could manage better because former police officer Kempaiah was giving intelligence inputs to Siddaramaiah on ground realities. “The Congress spent huge sums. I was confident of winning till April 6 and not later. Probably, we (BJP) were carried away by the turnout at public rallies. We could have managed the campaign better. Anyway, I will remain with the BJP though I will keep away from electoral politics,” he said.