Yediyurappa calls off Yatra after protests over Mudigere BJP candidate

Along with Yediyurappa, BJP general secretary C T Ravi, former Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda and MLC M K Pranesh — all on their way to the Yatra — were also stopped by the protesters who raised slogans against Kumaraswamy. They demanded that a new face should be fielded in the constituency for the coming election, even as another group of BJP workers demonstrated in favour of the MLA.

Ravi, who hails from the district and represents the Chikkamagaluru constituency, attempted to pacify the protesters. In videos of the incident, he is also seen chastising party workers for protesting and “bringing disrepute” to the party.

The former chief minister and the other leaders then left for Chikkamagaluru, where he participated in a public meeting held as part of the Yatra.

Kumaraswamy has faced opposition from his constituents in the past as well. He was attacked by villagers at Kundhur Estate near Mudigere in November 2022 after a woman was trampled to death by an elephant. The MLA had called it an “organised attack” and accused police of not helping him.