Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra announced that the party leadership has chosen capable candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections, garnering satisfaction among party members. Speaking in Bengaluru, Vijayendra clarified that former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda was not considered for the Rajya Sabha due to the current political scenario, emphasizing the respect the party holds for him.
He mentioned that the state-level discussions did not involve nominating Deve Gowda, and the chosen candidates, including Prof. M. Nagaraj for the Rajya Sabha and Lingaraj Patil and Raghu Kautilya for the Legislative Council, have been actively engaged in party activities. Nagaraj, a nominee for the Rajya Sabha, has a background in the Kuruba community, RSS, and ABVP, having served in various party roles, including as a state BJP vice president.
Vijayendra highlighted the extensive organizational experience of Legislative Council candidate Lingaraj Patil and the educational and journalistic background of Raghu Kautilya. He expressed contentment with the selection process, mentioning that former MP Sumalatha Ambareesh was also considered for the Rajya Sabha, acknowledging her past contributions and stating she would be offered a suitable position in the future.
Regarding portfolio allocation, Vijayendra criticized the lack of development work by Chief Minister Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara over the past three years. He urged the government to prioritize governance over internal disputes, citing concerns about the increasing debt, incomplete cabinet formation, and pending district in-charge appointments.
