Bengaluru: The Karnataka BJP leaders yesterday said that the candidate from Bangalore South is likely to be Tejaswini Ananth Kumar. Her late husband and former Union Minister Ananth Kumar had represented the Lok Sabha constituency six times.
It has been reported that her name was endorsed unanimously by BJP legislators, corporators and workers to the party high command for final decision.
Speaking about this, R Ashoka, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister, said that he had spoken to all MLAs and that all workers had recommended Tejaswini’s name as the candidate. A final decision would be taken by national president Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party’s Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa. Everyone one will work unitedly for her victory, added Ashoka.
Ananth Kumar first got elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 from Bangalore South, the constituency, which remained his bastion till his death at the age of 59 in November last year. He was serving as Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister at the time of his death.
Tejaswini was very active in Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad during her student days and is known for her not-for-profit organisation ‘Adamya Chetana’ and she had earlier served as a scientist at the Aeronautical Development Agency between 1993-1997. She was also a part of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCATejas) project.
Speaking about her name being recommended by the other members, she told reporters that when she got married 30 years ago, she had became member of ‘BJP Parivar’. “They have decided to send my name to the centre as candidate for Bangalore South. Whatever central leadership decides, I will abide by it…I will keep the trust shown on me by the party leaders,” she said.