BJP announces Sunil Kumar as candidate against Jayaprakash Hegde of Congress for Udupi by poll

BJP announces Sunil Kumar as candidate against Jayaprakash Hegde of Congress for Udupi by poll

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 21, 2012: The state BJP announced on Tuesday that the former MLA of Karkala Sunil Kumar will be the party’s candidate against Jayaprakash Hegde of Congress  for the Udupi – Chikamagalur constituency seat, which was vacated by D. V. Sadananda Gowda when he became the chief minister of Karnataka. The by polls will be held on March 18. 

H. N. Ananth Kumar, the BJP national general secretary and state election committee secretary, formally announced the name of the candidate and expressed confidence that the BJP will win in the majority. 

The BJP made the announcement shortly after G. Parameshwar, the chief president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) announced that the Congress candidate Jayaprakash Hegde will contest the by polls. 

Kumar, the president of the state BJP Yuva Morcha, lost the Karkala constituency to Congress candidate Gopal Bhandary in the last assembly elections. Known for his anti-minority and provocative speeches, Kumar is an orator for BJP as well as the Sangh Parivar. 

The BJP decided to announce the name of Kumar although Haladi Shrinivas Shetty, the MLA of Kundapur; Uday Shetty; and Pranesh, the president of the Chikamagalur unit of the BJP were suggested. 

Kumar’s ability to deliver a fiery speech has made him very popular in Udupi as well as Chikamagalur. 

The BJP core committee meeting to discuss its proposed state tour might be held this weekend. 

The RSS, in an attempt to establish peace between warring leaders B. S. Yeddyurappa, the former chief minister, and Eshwarappa, had suggested that the leaders tour the state to promote peace and unity in the party.