Former Deputy CM Laxman Savadi to quit BJP after being denied ticket for Karnataka Assembly elections

Laxman Savadi lost the election in 2018 to Mahesh Kumthalli of the Congress. The BJP high command has given the ticket to Mahesh Kumthalli, who defected to the BJP along with Ramesh Jarkiholi in 2019. Mahesh Kumthalli was re-elected to the Assembly in a by-election in 2019.

Laxman Savadi, former deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, has decided to quit the BJP after being denied a ticket to contest from Athani in the Assembly elections.

Mr Savadi has been elected to the Assembly thrice from Athani. He lost the election in 2018 to Mahesh Kumthalli of the Congress.

The BJP high command has given the ticket to Mahesh Kumthalli, who defected to the BJP along with Ramesh Jarkiholi in 2019. Mahesh Kumthalli was re-elected to the Assembly in a by-election in 2019.

Later, Mr. Savadi was nominated to the Legislative Council.

“I am deeply hurt at not getting the party ticket from Athani, my home constituency. I have worked for the BJP tirelessly for nearly three decades, after we moved away from the Janata Parivar. I have been completely ignored now. It is very sad,’‘ he said.

The BJP MLC said he would resign from the BJP. However, he is yet to send his resignation letter to the party. “I have called a meeting of my followers in Athani on April 13. I will announce my decision after that meeting,” he told journalists in his home in Athani.

“I am a self-respecting politician. I am not after power. When I lost the 2018 Assembly polls, I sat at home, and did not join Congress or any other party. I only want my service to be recognised. I wish the BJP leaders understood this,’‘ he said.