The BJP is in disarray as Simha opposes the new Mysuru-Kodagu candidate

Discord within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has surfaced due to conjecture on the candidate for the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha seat in the next elections. Tensions within the party have arisen as a result of current BJP MP Pratap Simha voicing his displeasure with the party’s alleged intention to field a new candidate from the seat.

The shade that has been cast around Simha’s candidacy over the last two days has clearly irritated the twice-elected MP. While he has not attacked party officials or senior members who are against his candidacy directly, he has been venting his dissatisfaction on a number of sites.

With the backing of groups like the Vokkaliga Association, Madivala Community Association, and Mysore Rakshana Vedike, he has voiced his complaints via news conferences and social media.

Simha broke down in tears on Monday night during a Facebook live session, highlighting the development work he has done in the Mysuru-Kodagu area over the previous ten years. While denouncing the people of Mysuru as “casteist” and implying that caste is a major factor in local politics, he applauded the people of Kodagu as “patriots.”

Tuesday saw a flurry of speculation as it was reported that the BJP was thinking of running Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the scion of the former Mysuru royal family, as its candidate. Using taunts, questions about Yaduveer’s role in grassroots politics, and criticism of his alleged disengagement from local concerns, Simha vented his fury.

Simha greeted Yaduveer Wadiyar in a derisive manner, calling him the “King” or “Prince” who was making an effort to get into politics. Sarcastically, he emphasized that it would entail Yaduveer leaving his air-conditioned rooms to interact with the public directly. He suggested that such actions as participating in demonstrations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, visiting police stations when party workers are being detained, and addressing urgent local issues like the removal of debris on Ring Road are necessary for any prospective politician.

Some of Simha’s own party members, however, were offended by his harsh remarks against Yaduveer. Simha received criticism for his recent actions from Jaya Prakash, another BJP leader, and an entreaty to desist from demeaning the Wadiyar family was made by L Nagendra, the city BJP president and former MLA.

Simha justified his conduct, saying he was the only one with the guts to criticize Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, at a meeting with BJP leaders in the city. His comments on “adjustment politics” and his targeting of local leaders and senior party workers, however, did not sit well with certain saffron party members, who questioned his eligibility as a candidate.

Tensions inside the party are high as speculation persists and a decision about the candidate for the seat remains undetermined.