Bangalore. A riot has broken out in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the announcement of 212 candidates on two lists for the May 10 general election in Karnataka. Angry at not getting tickets, some leaders have resigned from the party, while others prepare to run in elections for other parties. Faced with such a situation, senior leaders of the ruling party have begun to put out this flame of discontent. After several rounds of deliberations, the BJP published its first list of 189 candidates on Tuesday and the second list of 23 candidates on Wednesday night. There are a total of 224 seats in the state assembly.

The party has yet to announce candidates for 12 seats. Three-time MLA Mudigere MP Kumaraswamy and Haveri MLA Nehru Olekar on Thursday announced their resignation from the party’s core membership after being denied tickets. Kumaraswamy blamed the party’s national general secretary, CT Ravi, for the BJP’s denial of tickets. He said that he would soon submit his resignation as MLA to the Speaker.

A member of the scheduled caste community, Olekar, 65, is a two-time MLA. Angry at the party’s neglect, Olekar also demonstrated on the road with his supporters. In Haveri (SC) constituency, Gavisiddappa Dayamanwar has been sent by the BJP in place of Olekar. Olekar claimed that thousands of BJP workers were resigning from core party membership.

On this uproar in the party, Prime Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Some leaders and MLAs, hoping to get tickets, have announced their resignations.” Some have even resigned. We are talking to workers and leaders and things will be resolved overall. I am talking to the elders (who are unhappy), our high command will also talk to them. I’m sure things will work out.”

Speaking to reporters in the coastal city of Mangaluru, he said the situation would return to normal at some point. When asked about senior leader and former deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi’s announcement to leave the party, Bommai said: “…he will have to maintain the trust of the constituency people, who will put pressure on him.” So it will take some time, but it will work itself out.”

Asked if Savadi was in contact with Congress leaders, the prime minister said he was not aware but was confident things would be fine.

“There is an emotional bond, Savadi may have said things in anger,” he said. The prime minister said that the candidates have been selected on the basis of “poll reports” and that he will also speak to Mudigere MLA Kumaraswamy and try to ensure that he stays in the party. BJP Senior Leader and former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa said there is discontent among some party members in some places and some statements have also come to light. He said that he would talk to everyone personally. He said: “They should cooperate with the BJP. I have been talking to them (dissidents) since yesterday to make sure there is no confusion. Except maybe one or two issues, things will work out and I am sure they will cooperate.” Yeddyurappa also said that he would talk to Kumaraswamy.

He said: “The party has not deprived him of things. We have given him everything. Giving up is easy. You must not speak lightly.

Olekar, who was denied a ticket in Haveri, said: “About 1,000 supporters are quitting with me.” We will send it (resignation letter) to the district president. I have received calls from other parties, including JD(S). I will make a decision after speaking with my supporters and voters.”

Former MLA Sogadu Sivanna, a ticket hopeful from Tumakuru city, also resigned from the BJP after the party decided to place GB Jyoti Ganesh in his place. He said that his supporters and voters have asked him to run in the elections and that he will present his candidacy before April 20. Former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi had resigned from the party on Wednesday. He was expected to get the ticket from Athani.

The minister and six-time MLA from Sullia constituency in Dakshina Kannada S Angara district announced his retirement from politics after being denied a new nomination. Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat has said that he is deeply saddened by the party’s treatment of him. BJP MLC R Shankar, a contender for the Ranebennur assembly seat, resigned as MLA on Wednesday after the party ignored his request.

Hosdurg MLA Goolihatti Shekhar has said that he will compete as an independent or join former minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy’s newly formed Kalyana Rajya Pragati Paksha. “I will make a decision soon after consulting my supporters,” she said. (agency)