Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 19: BJP has been making plans for the next year's Lok Sabha election now itself. In all likelihood, BJP may field Shambhavi, daughter of former Karnataka chief minister, S M Krishna, from the city (north) Lok Sabha constituency. At the same time, Shobha Karandlaje representing Udupi - Chikkamagaluru constituency, is trying to enter the state assembly.

As per speculations, either Karkala MLA, Sunil Kumar, or Chikkamagaluru MLA, C T Ravi, may be prevailed upon to fight the election from the Lok Sabha constituency being vacated by Shobha. Shobha will then fight from the assembly constituency vacated by one of these two MLAs, sources say.

Currently, D V Sadananda Gowda is representing the city (north) Lok Sabha constituency. There are indications of a backlash in this constituency. Therefore BJP is searching for a fresh candidate, and Shambhavi might fit their bill. Although there was a proposal to swap the constituencies represented by Shobha and Sadananda Gowda in the past, this plan has to be shelved as Shobha is determined not to fight the Lok Sabha election. BJP, it is said, had tried to persuade Krishna to field his daughter, Shambhavi, who is interested in politics, during the assembly election but he was reluctant to do so.

BJP feels that S M Krishna, who has good influence in the city and belongs to Vakkaliga community which is decisive in the city (north) constituency, can tilt the balance in its favour if his daughter is fielded from here. At the same time, Sadananda Gowda has a hurdle in entering the Lok Sabha from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency, which he had represented once, as there is likelihood of the ticket being given to Ravi, Sunil, or Jayaprakash Hegde. If Ravi or Sunil are agreeable to fight the Lok 'Sabha election, then Sadananda Gowda's prospects might suffer, it is said.