Madhusoodan.M.K.
The otherwise dull Rajya Sabha polls has, at least this time around, risen curiosity among political circles. Not because the tried and tired candidature of Janata Dal (Secular) supremo and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and the old war horse Mallikarjuna Kharge of Congress.
BJP fielded two unknown candidates, but two hard working Rashtriya Swayam Sevaks and both hardcore BJP leaders known by people of their sphere of operation and their places of origin: Eeranna Kadad, from powerful Pachamasali Lingayati from Belagavi and Ashok Gasthi from Raichur, a good party organiser hailing from a backward community. With the selection of these two, the BJP national leadership has recognised genuine party workers who will stand by it unlike turncoats. The party has consulted other seasoned leaders in its state unit before zeroing in these two. The move has also sent a strong message among party’s bickering lobbyists like Katti brothers. Perhaps, the state unit will now feel that the party is taking more care in disciplining cadre which now is faction-ridden in North Karnataka region,” a party observer said.
The names of Kadad and Gasthi of candidates by party’s central leadership only BJP showed and continue to show the courage for party’s future organisational strength, While other political parties fear to venture. “This move is seen as party’s commitment to encourage its loyal workforce. Both are down to earth, humble and simple in their approach towards fellow party workers and general public. Of late, the state unit had been in a comatose state in encouraging real workers. On the contrary the Congress and JD (S) have chosen tested, tried and tired very old horses Mallikarjun Kharge (77) and H.D.Deve Gowda (87) which by and large is unacceptable and undesired. Lack of new blood in both Congress and JD-S has clearly indicated bankruptcy in leadership in both parties which have lost the sheen. Both parties have lost sense of introspection, it is evident.
