People from Karnataka are venting their ire at the BJP for attempting to push for Venkaiah Naidu to represent the state in the Rajya Sabha.
For more than four hours on Wednesday, #VenkayyaSakayya – meaning enough of Venkaiah – had been trending on Twitter. Many of those who used the hashtag objected to sending Naidu as a representative of Karnataka.
Urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu was thrice elected to the Upper House of Parliament – 1998, 2004 and 2010 – after the state BJP nominated him. Naidu's third term is set to complete in June.
His contribution to Karnataka secondary, primarily why should a non Kannadiga represent us? #VenkayyaSakayya #GoBackVenkaiah
— Hariprasad Holla (@hariprasadholla) May 18, 2016
Hema Malini, Ram Jethmalani, Rajeev Chandrashekar, when will this end? We need our people representing us #VenkayyaSakayya #GoBackVenkaiah
— Hariprasad Holla (@hariprasadholla) May 18, 2016
People on Twitter allege that even though Naidu has represented Karnataka for 18 years, he has done nothing for the betterment of the state.
Venkaiah didn't even adopt a Karnataka village for the Model village scheme. Why should he be given RS seat from the state?#VenkayyaSakayya
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) May 18, 2016
I had forgotten that for 18 years, we had a RS member from Karnataka called Venkaiah Naidu. No more swalpa adjust maadi
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) May 18, 2016
#VenkayyaSakayya
Achievements of @MVenkaiahNaidu 1.Adopt a village in Andhra 2.Impose Hindi 3.Speak for Andhra issues 4.No to learn Kannada #VenkayyaSakayya
— Suhruta Yajaman (@syajaman) May 18, 2016
However, many people also raised objections to the rumours that other non-Kannadigas names were being proposed, and insisted that a Kannadiga is sent to the Rajya Sabha.
It is rumoured that the Congress is pushing for veteran leader P Chidambaram's name for the post, and that former chief minister SM Krishna is eyeing the post.