‘Stop such gimmicks’: BJP MLA Vishwanath cautions Chikkaballapur candidate Sudhakar, says his mistakes could be costly

The MLA said that Sudhakar texted him five or six days ago asking to meet him, but there was no message after that. “If he had texted me before he came (yesterday), I will resign. If he had called in the last three days, I will resign,” he said, adding that he was coming before the media to ensure that a wrong message was not sent to party leaders and workers.

Vishwanath’s son Alok Vishwanath was among the BJP aspirants for the Chikkaballapur seat. Though the BJP decided to field Sudhakar, it was met with opposition from various BJP leaders in the Lok Sabha segment.

Sudhakar’s attempt to meet Vishwanath Sunday was seen as an attempt by the former minister to ensure the support of prominent party leaders of the Chikkaballapur constituency. However, there were reports that Sudhakar was not allowed inside Vishwanath’s house when he went there to meet him.

Though formerly with the Congress, Sudhakar jumped ship to the BJP in 2019 during the political crisis in the state and held two key portfolios in the BJP government from 2020-23. He lost the Assembly polls in 2023.

Commenting on the disgruntlement over fielding Sudhakar, Vishwanath said unhappiness was natural for a few days after candidates were announced, especially among aspirants. “Now, since Alok did not get the ticket, as a father, there will be little (unhappiness) somewhere,” he said, adding that all party workers would ensure the BJP candidate’s win.

On BJP’s prospects at Chikkaballapur, he said every election depended on the candidate. In the last election, (BJP candidate) B N Bache Gowda won due to sympathy and Modi wave… Moreover, (former Union Minister Veerappa) Moily was a weak candidate. In this election, if Sudhakar wins, “it will be due to Modi and efforts of the party cadre. If there are any shortcomings, it will be due to his mistakes or something he did in the past. We will not be responsible for the past,” he said.