Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 20: Speculations are rife in political circles that BJP is trying to get retired IAS officer and former Karnataka chief secretary K Ratna Prabha to join the party, in the backdrop of the upcoming polls.

Prabha served in the Siddaramaiah government and her tenure was extended for three months, when the coalition government was formed. She is famed to be an upright and pro-people officer and one of the few women officers from scheduled caste background to hold the important post.

However, it is said that BJP wants to cash on Ratna Prabha’s fame and she being from SC community is seen as an added advantage.

Earlier, BSP had tried to get her on board but she had said she is not interested in politics. Now with the changing political scenario, it is said that BJP is trying its best to convince her to join the party.

With no good candidates in the Kolar, Chitradurga reserved constituencies, Ratna Prabha’s name cropped up. However, it is said that Ratna Prabha has refused to comment in any of the matters.

Meanwhile, Ratna Prabha who held an important post during Siddaramaiah’s tenure is also close to him and hence BJP is also behaving in a secretive manner.

Incase Ratna Prabha accepts the BJP’s invitation, then sources reveal she will be pitted against Mallikarjun Kharge in Kalaburgi. This is because the resignation by Umesh Jhadhav from Congress is yet to be accepted and anti-defection law can be initiated against him and hence it is said BJP does not want risks and hoping to have Ratna Prabha.

While Ratna Prabha has refused to comment, the BJP candidate list is expected to be released on March 21. However, incase Ratna Prabha’s name is reflected in the list, then it would not come as a surprise.

In August 2018, when rumours that Ratna Prabha joining BJP was making rounds, she had told a news website that the news is fake and someone with a personal vendetta could have planted the news.