Yeddyurappa says son not contesting Varuna seat

BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa announced yesterday that his son B.Y. Vijayendra would not be contesting from Varuna assembly constituency in Mysuru against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra.

Yeddyurappa’s announcement at a meeting organised by the party at Nanjanagudu, near Mysuru, led to large-scale protests by BJP workers, following which police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

“Vijayendra is not filing nomination today, a common man [party worker] will be fielded and he will be filing the nomination,” Yeddyurappa said.

“With folded hands I request all of you to support and bless that candidate and make him win,” he said.

Vijayendra, Yeddyurappa’s second son, had been campaigning in the constituency for over a fortnight.