'Go Back Shobha Akka': Protest Over Shobha Karandlaje's Candidacy From Bangalore North (image:facebook.com/ShobhaBJP)

BJP”s nomination of union minister Shobha Karandlaje for Bangalore North is not sitting well with the locals. Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Karnataka BJP has announced candidates for 20 constituencies in the state on Wednesday. In the second list of candidates released, Shobha Karandlaje has been shifted from her Udupi-Chikmagalur to Bangalore North.

However, her candidacy is not being receiving well among the locals. Soon after the party declared the candidates, protests erupted in the region where residents are seen holding placards and raising slogans “Go Back Shobha Akka”.

Earlier, DV Sadananda Gowda, sitting MP from Bangalore North and former Chief Minister expressed his displeasure that his seat is being given to Shobha Karandlaje. Sources told India Today that he asked the state party leadership what is Shobha”s stake in Bengaluru and called the decision “unfair”.

The Udupi Chickmagaluru constituency where Shobha Karandlaje is currently representing is known for the influence of Hindu organisations and Sangh Parivar. Since it is a safe seat, Union Minister was keen to contest again from the same constituency but she is encountering opposition from local party leaders and workers. She has been shifted to Bangalore North following Opposition from locals and recent social media campaigns opposing her candidacy in the sitting seat.

According to the list released yesterday, both Bengaluru South and Bengaluru Central seats are retained by Tejasvi Surya and PC Mohan, sitting MPs in the respective constituencies. Another prominent name in the candidates list is Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, and he is seeking his fourth consecutive term from Dharwad. Dr. CN Manjunath, the son-in-law of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, received the Bengaluru Rural ticket from the BJP.