Renu Kumar, Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate for the Legislative Council election from Hassan, has asked Patel Shivaram, who is contesting from the Janata Dal (Secular), to tell the voters about his achievements in the last six years as an MLC. Mr. Shivaram, who has been an MLC for the last six years, is seeking a second term.
“I asked Mr. Shivaram to tell the public about his achievements quite some time ago. As he has not responded yet, it seems that he hasn’t done anything worth mentioning,” Mr. Kumar said at a press conference here on Tuesday. Referring to Congress nominee M.A. Gopalaswamy, who had recently remarked that the BJP candidate was not familiar with many people in Hassan district, Mr. Kumar said, “I may not be familiar with people involved in real estate business like him [Mr. Gopalaswamy], but I am quite familiar with common people. I have the support of elected members in local authorities. Wherever I go, they cordially invite me and extend support to me. So far, I have personally met about 800 voters,” he said.
Tejaswini Ramesh, former MP and BJP leader, said that the Congress had fielded a person who wasn’t committed to his party.
Earlier, he had tried to contest Legislative Assembly polls from other parties, as the Congress had denied to give him ticket.
“He does not listen to anybody in the party, but goes by his leader D.K. Shivakumar’s suggestions. He may shift to any party tomorrow, but BJP’s candidate is not like him. Mr. Kumar will remain with BJP forever, irrespective of the outcome of the election,” she said.
BJP leader Navile Annappa and others were present.
