Yeddyurappa's son not to contest polls, BJP workers erupt in protest

April 23, 2018 18:57

The sons of the two political veterans running for Karnataka chief minister will not face off in the constituency of Varuna in Mysuru.

Varuna, a rural area with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as its current legislator, was prepping for weeks for a show down between Siddaramaiah's son, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, a pathologist by training, and BY Vijayendra, the son of the BJP's presumptive Chief Minister, BS Yeddyurappa.

The news triggered massive protests by BJP workers in Mysuru, who threatened to resign if Yeddyurappa Junior is not named a candidate.

"This was a decision taken by us," said Yeddyurappa, who headed the BJP's first southern government when it won the Karnataka election in 2013.

Around him, BJP workers broke down, distressed by what they see as a betrayal of their leader. Shouting slogans against BJP chief Amit Shah, angry workers damaged furniture at the venue at Nanjanagudu near Mysuru.

Later, BY Vijayendra was unable to move out of his hotel because of the thick layers of supporters who had gathered outside.

Both Dr Yathindra and BY Vijayendra are in their 30s. Neither has contested an election before this. Yeddyurappa's son had said last week that he wanted to run against the Chief Minister's son. Indeed, he has spent weeks campaigning in Varuna as the unofficial candidate of the BJP. "I am not upset, this was a decision taken by me," said Yeddyurappa.

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