Karnataka bypolls: RR Nagar – Tulasi Munirajgowda, Munirathna Naidu's names sent for approval

As the by-election date is nearing for Rajarajeshwarinagar Assembly segment, CM BS Yediyurappa and BJP general secretary BL Santosh are making efforts to get their respective candidates the ticket.

CM BS Yediyurappa and BJP national general secretary BL Santosh are reportedly lobbying at the national level to receive the nod from the central screening committee for a ticket for their respective candidates in the Karnataka by-election.

CM Yediyurappa wants to ensure former Congressman Munirathna Naidu gets a ticket as he helped in upsetting the Congress-JD(S) government last year, which led to Yediyurappa getting another chance to come to power.

On the other hand, Tulasi Muniragowda is a favourite pick of RSS leader and BJP national general secretary BL Santosh.

There are reports that in case the BS Yediyurappa camp manages to get Munirathna a ticket, Tulasi Munirajgowda will then be fielded on a JD(S) ticket.

RR Nagar being the hotbed of Vokkaliga votes and Muniraju Gowda belonging to the same community, may give jitters to Munirathna Naidu.

The JD(S), which is known as the party ready to go along with the situation, may help the BJP in RR Nagar and as a return of favour may ask the BJP to help the party retain its base in Tumakuru's Sira Taluk, according to sources.

By-election to RR Nagar was necessitated after Munirathna resigned from Congress and due to the court case, the election was delayed and with JD(S) MLA Sathyanarayana's death Sira seat fell vacant. Now both these segments will witness the by-election on November 3.