Another rebellion hits BJP-JD(S) coalition as former MLA files nomination papers

Bhat was previously Udupi MLA for three terms before ceding his seat to Yashpal Suvarna in the 2023 Assembly elections. He told reporters that after he missed the ticket in 2023, he was assured that he would be the candidate for the MLC elections. “I had not lost from Udupi constituency even once. Yet, I was denied a ticket last time,” he said, noting that he did not contest as a rebel then.

While party leaders succeeded in convincing him of their decision in 2023, they did not make any effort to explain why he was being denied the MLC ticket, he told reporters.

Meanwhile, the disgruntlement among the partners intensified over the South Teachers’ constituency, resulting in a major ruckus at a meeting called by JD(S) aspirant for the seat K T Srikantegowda. He was unhappy that the coalition had fielded K Vivekananda from the segment, who filed his nomination papers on Thursday.

The constituency has been a major cause of bickering between the BJP and the JD(S). The BJP had announced E C Ningaraju as the candidate for the segment earlier this week, following which the JD(S) had piled pressure on the BJP leadership to cede the seat to the party. Unhappy over the developments, Ningaraju filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate on Wednesday, causing a major embarrassment for the state unit.

According to BJP sources, the rebellion in both segments would be addressed in the coming days as May 20 is the last date to withdraw nomination papers.

Six Legislative Council constituencies are out for polls on June 3, the results of which will be announced on June 6.