Snubbed, women to protest at BJP campaign launch

Having completed the process of selecting its candidates in Mysore, the Karnataka BJP is launching its election campaign here on Tuesday.

But, it could be marred by a protest by local women leaders of the party who are angry with the party for not giving tickets to women.

They allege that the BJP has not given tickets to women in the 29 constituencies in Mysore region comprising of Mysore, Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajanagar districts, despite a promise of 33 per cent share, some women BJP local leaders today threatened to hold a black-flag demonstration at the rally tomorrow.

State Sthree Shakthi Okkoota president Sumathi Ramakrishne Gowda, an aspirant for ticket from K R Nagar, and Okkoota vice-president Sunitha said about 5,000 women will exhibit their resentment over the BJP's 'anti-women stance'.

Former Union minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vijayaraje Scindia and BJP Mahila Morcha national president Kiran Maheswari are among those expected to attend the public meeting at the Maharaja's College Grounds, which was the venue for the Congress rally earlier.

Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, BJP national general secretary Ananthakumar, state president Sadananda Gowda and Karnataka Mahila Morcha president Bharathi Shetty are among those expected to attend the public meeting.

Having received a boost with two prominent Congress leaders of Mysore, former minister 'Benki' Mahadev and retired DIG of police L Revannasiddaiah, throwing their weight behind the BJP, the party will take advantage of the meeting to welcome the two into its fold.

Having chosen a new political platform, the two leaders are expected to exhibit their might by bringing their men in large numbers to the election meeting.

Over 100,000 people from the districts of Mysore and Chamarajanagar are expected to attend the meeting, according to MLC Thontadarya. The party has come out with two lists of candidates, the first list with 136 nominees and the second with 35 names, touching off protests by rebels over the selection of candidates.