Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 22: After mulling various names for the chairmanship of Karnataka Milk Federation, the BJP is learnt to have finalized the name of former MLA Araga Jnanendra, who is close to the Sangh Parivar outfits. The BJP has taken the matter of snatching this post from the stronghold of its incumbent for 15 years, H D Revanna, as a prestige issue.

Unless the third of Reddy brothers from Bellary, Somashekhar Reddy, who, besides being a MLA, is an elected president of Bellary-Raichur Milk Producers Union, kicks up some problem, Aranga Jnanedra will be the final choice of the BJP for the said post, the party sources said.

Before fielding Jnanendra, he needs to be made a director of the Federation. As the government is vested with the right to nominate some of the directors of the Federation, no problems are perceived on this front. Jnanendra, a three-time MLA, was defeated in last year's assembly election from Tirthahalli constituency in Shimoga district.

Out of the 13 milk unions of the state, Gulbarga union has been superseded. Out of the other 12, BJP has come out victorious in 10, leaving only two others to the JDS. To escape from the pestering by the Reddy camp and the plans that the opposition parties might hatch, the nine KMF directors owing allegiance to the BJP have been sent on a tour to north India. They will reach a day before the election date.