Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Apr 4: K Lakshminarayana, BJP MLA from Byndoor constituency, through a press statement, expressed shock at not having been considered for nomination from the party for the coming assembly election. “I was an aspirant for the party ticket this time. I have worked very hard during my term of five years as MLA for the development of Byndoor constituency. I was confident that I would get the ticket. But on Tuesday April 3, BJP Leaders, T Shambhu Shetty and Coastal Development Authority chairman, Vikramarjuna Hegde, introduced me to the proposed BJP candidate from this constituency. This has come as a bolt from the blue,” he claimed.

Lakshminarayana recalled that he had given a good fight to the Congress candidates in three successive assembly elections, and that he had defeated the Congress candidate by around 7,900 votes last time. He said his influence could be gauged by the fact that BJP candidates had put up splendid performances in the Lok Sabha, zilla, and taluk panchayat elections in this constituency.

“During my tenure, I could bring Rs 350 crore government grant to the constituency. I could ensure that announcement of formation of Byndoor taluk came through. I worked without corruption or nepotism. In a democratic set up, opinion of the people should be respected most. Declaring a candidate without understanding the minds of voters is like breaching the trust of the sincere workers of the party. Even though I happen to the immediate past legislator of this constituency, I was never consulted or taken into confidence before a decision to dump me was taken,” he lamented.

There is speculation that Lakshminarayana lost in the race because of his participation in the KJP meet held at Haveri during December 2012, in defiance of the party whip.