Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 17: Leaders of the BJP and Sangh Parivar are facing a dilemma as the divide between Hindutva and the BJP widens in the district of Dakshina Kannada after the recent legislative assembly elections.

This crisis, which originated in Puttur, has escalated through social media channels. If left unresolved, there is a possibility that it may spread throughout the entire district.

The remarkable number of votes secured by Arun Kumar Puttila in Puttur, who challenged the BJP for not granting him a party ticket, has sent shockwaves through the top leadership of the BJP and Sangh Parivar. Despite their best efforts to gather votes for their candidate Asha Timmappa, the BJP and Sangh Parivar failed to secure sufficient support. If this trend continues, it could potentially impact the upcoming taluk panchayat, zilla panchayat, and Lok Sabha elections, according to BJP leaders' estimations.

Amidst the astonishing vote count in favor of Arun Puttila in Puttur, a banner featuring garlanded footwear of former CM Sadananda Gowda and state BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel was displayed near the main bus stand of Puttur. The banner accuses Sadananda Gowda and Nalin of being responsible for the BJP's defeat in the recent elections.

It appears that the resentment among BJP workers, witnessed during the funeral procession of Praveen Nettaru in Bellare, has not subsided yet. The overwhelming support for the BJP rebel candidate and the projection of Puttila as the leader of the Hindu organization by party workers have reinforced this perception. It seems that the district's BJP leaders face a greater challenge in resolving internal issues than simply being concerned about their defeat in the state legislative assembly elections.