With both the BJP and Congress releasing its list of candidates, dissent has erupted in both parties. While supporters of people who were rejected tickets by either parties went on a rampage in many places, in Gulbarga, a heartbroken former BJP MLC Shashil G Namoshi broke down in front of the media on Monday evening.
In a short video clip, Shashil is at a press conference with many channel microphones placed in front of him. “I never expected it. I have worked for the party for so long. I was shocked to hear my name is not mentioned. It has hurt me,” Namoshi said before breaking down into tears.
Namoshi covers his face with both his hands and is seen weeping. His supporters rush to console him. They immediately usher him out of the room. His meltdown was captured by several news channels.
Namoshi was expecting a ticket either from Gulbarga Dakshin or Gulbarga Uttar. He first suffered disappointment when the first list was announced and Dattatreya Patil Revur was offered the Gulbarga Dakshin ticket.
Shashil Namoshi had contested from Gulbarga Dakshin in both the 2013 and 2008 assembly elections and had lost against Dattatreya Patil Revur.
During 2013 elections, Namoshi had defected to JD(S) while the JD(S) leader Revur had defected to the BJP. However, Namoshi joined the BJP once again in 2017.
When the BJP’s second list was announced, the Gulbarga Uttar ticket was offered to Chandrakant B Patil. Shashil Namoshi was Deputy Mayor of Kalaburagi, and a Member of the Legislative Council for 12 years.
BJP sources say that Namoshi’s consecutive losses had resulted in the party offering tickets to other leaders. On Monday night, supporters of Shashil Namoshi staged protests outside the BJP office. They burnt tires and shouted slogans against Yeddyurappa.
“Namoshi did not stick with Yeddyurappa when he was made to step down as CM and he has not forgotten this. He also did not stick with the BJP and defected to JD(S). Apart from the fact that he lost twice, these were two major reasons why he did not get the ticket,” the BJP source said.