Belagavi: The residence of Katti brothers in Bellad Bagewadi in Hukkeri taluk, which was brimming with workers till Friday afternoon, wore a deserted look in the evening as the BJP announced tickets to Examba-based party leader Annasaheb Jolle.Ramesh Katti, chairman of Belagavi District Central Cooperative (BDCC) bank, and brother of Hukkeri MLA Umesh Katti, was a strong aspirant for BJP ticket from Chkkodi Lok Sabha seat. After coming to know that he missed the ticket, the cell phones of both brothers remained switched off for few hours.However, in the evening, replying to media persons, former minister Umesh Katti said he will request the party leadership to reconsider the decision and urged the supporters to wait till April 4. “We will wait till April 4. Will see what will happen. We are taking suggestions from other leaders and our supporters,” he said, adding that anything can happen in the politics.In fact, there was strong lobbying for ticket for over a week between Ramesh Katti and Annasaheb Jolle. Former minister Umesh Katti was camping in Bengaluru for the past two days to lobby for the ticket but in vain. Annasaheb Jolle, who got the ticket, had lost the 2014 assembly elections with a meagre margin against Ganesh Hukkeri in Chikkodi-Sadalaga constituency. His wife Shashikala Jolle is sitting MLA from Nippani.The missing of the ticket is nothing less than a shocker to Katti brothers, who were preparing for this election for the past five years by keeping in touch with the workers. Ramesh Katti had lost the 2014 elections against Prakash Hukkeri of Congress by just 3,000 votes. The Kattis were fully confident of winning the seat this time but never expected such a shocking twist at the last moment.According to sources, BJP deliberately delayed announcement of Chikkodi ticket after smelling Ramesh Katti’s chances of switching the party and contesting on Congress ticket in case of not getting BJP ticket. The BJP strategically delayed ticket announcement leaving the Congress to announce its candidates in both Chikkodi and Belagavi constituencies, so that Ramesh Katti wouldn’t be able to get Congress ticket.Meanwhile, at Belagavi, district in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi said no discussions took place in the party about Ramesh Katti joining Congress. However, anybody wishes to join the Congress accepting the ideology of the party will be welcome, he said. The high-command takes a call on such matters, he added.

Stay updated with all the Latest Hubli headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.