Daijiworld Media Network – Mysuru (EP)

Mysuru, Apr 26: Upset that B Y Vijayendra, son of BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa was not given the ticket to contest from Varuna constituency, his supporters have turned rebel and now hope to teach BJP a lesson.

According to a WhataApp message allegedly circulated by B Y Vijayendra’s supporters, voters are urged not to vote for any candidate but select the NOTA option. The message claims that if 12 percent of votes fall under NOTA, a re-election would be held and those who opposed the candidature of Vijayendra would be taught a lesson.

Posters are also being circulated on social media with an inverted lotus as a symbol. The posters read that there is no other option but NOTA when loyal party workers choice is not taken into consideration.

There were reports earlier that Vijayendra was BJP candidate in Varuna. But Vijayendra was deprived of the opportunity due to sudden developments on the day of the submission of nomination papers. BJP fielded Thotadappa Basavaraju as its candidate from the constituency.

Supporters of Vijayendra were not happy with the party’s decision and created a commotion on the day and expressed their anguish. The supporters held union minister Ananth Kumar and BJP state organising secretary Santhosh G responsible for Vijayendra not being given the ticket and held a protest against them. Though Vijayendra received support from several BJP candidates later, he still did not get the ticket.

The supporters hope that the 'Vote for NOTA' campaign will ensure the defeat of the BJP candidate and they are hoping that a re-election will be held where Vijayendra will be fielded as the BJP candidate.

Meanwhile, with all the commotion and infighting within the BJP over the Varuna ticket, Congress candidate Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah seems confident about winning the seat.