BJP, Congress struggle to finalise candidates for Shiggaon-Savanur byelection

Haveri: The Election Commission has set the calendar of events for the Shiggaon-Savanur byelection, but both the BJP and Congress are yet to finalise their candidates, while nomination filing begins today. The Congress party is facing internal rebellion, while former CM Basavaraj Bommai is playing a behind-the-scenes role in the BJP's decision-making process. The bypoll was necessitated by Bommai's election to the Lok Sabha from the Haveri constituency.The BJP is under pressure to secure the party's nomination, while Congress aspirants have launched their campaigns despite the party leadership's dilemma over choosing a candidate. The Congress faces the threat of rebellion and has not revealed any clues regarding its candidate, particularly between minority and non-minority candidates. According to Congress sources, former MLA Sayyad Ajjampheer Khadri may contest as an independent candidate if he is denied the party ticket. Meanwhile, several non-minority candidates, including the district Congress president Sanjeevkumar Neeralagi, former minister R Shankar, Yasir Khan Pathan, Raju Kunnur, Somanna Bevinamarad, Prema Patil, and Rajeshwari Patil, are lobbying for the party ticket. Channabasava Swamiji, the seer of Doddahunase Kalamath Savanur, and others have also been lobbying for the ticket.Nirani declines offerFormer minister Murugesh Nirani, who represented the Belagi assembly constituency in Bagalkot district, was considered by BJP state-level leaders as a potential candidate for the Shiggaon-Savanur by-election. Union minister Pralhad Joshi and former CM and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai offered him the opportunity to contest, as he belongs to the influential Veerashaiva Lingayat Panchamasali community. However, Nirani declined their offer, stating that many party leaders and workers are already aspiring for the BJP ticket in the constituency. Moreover, he felt that he lacked a connection with the Shiggaon-Savanur assembly segment, which is far from the Bagalkot district. Nirani clarified to TOI, "I did not feel right about becoming a candidate, but I will put efforts for the victory of the BJP candidate in the constituency."Bommai meets BSYFollowing the announcement of dates for by-elections in three constituencies in the state, Bommai met former CM and BJP parliamentary board member BS Yediyurappa at his residence in Bengaluru on Thursday. "Yediyurappa is a senior leader, he called me to have discussions about the elections. He also spoke about the Shiggaon constituency. Yediyurappa asked about our election preparations and I informed him that we are ready. The candidate selection was also discussed, and it has been decided that regardless of who gets the ticket, they must ensure victory. I will visit Delhi after Oct 19. We will try to win in all three constituencies," he clarified.