The BJP has managed to bring on board the Katti brothers - Umesh and Ramesh - over the party candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Chikkodi, here on Monday.
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa had rushed to Belagavi following reports that former MP Ramesh Katti was being lured by the Congress. The former chief minister held talks with the Katti brothers here and convinced them to accept the party’s decision.
The BJP central leadership has announced Annasaheb Jolle, husband of sitting MLA from Nippani Shashikala Jolle, as the candidate from Chikkodi. The meeting spanned for over two hours and was attended by BJP legislators and senior leaders.
Following the meeting, Yeddyurappa said Ramesh was a strong aspirant for the party ticket, but the high command decided to field Annasaheb, which needs to
be accepted by all party leaders.
Jolle, who was also present at the meeting, will soon file his papers. Yeddyurappa said no offers had been made to Ramesh, but the party was ready to reward him with a suitable position at an appropriate time.
Ramesh, however, said thwe party decision had come as disappointment to him and the party workers. He clarified that he would accept the party’s decision. “The nation and party come first for me and Narendra Modi is our leader,” he said.
Ramesh said he would accompany Annasaheb while he files the papers and would work for his victory to ensure that Modi returns as prime minister.
Opposition whip in the Legislative Council Mahantesh Kavatagimath, MLAs Abhay Patil, Anil Benake, Shashikala Jolle and others were present.