Mysuru: Having decided against an alliance with the Congress at the national level, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), thereby ruling out any understanding with the JD(S) for the Lok Sabha elections , is busy hunting for a strong candidate to field in Mysuru. The party is contemplating fielding either a social activist or a rationalist from the Heritage City, a strategy that might help BSP eat into votes that would otherwise go to the Congress, which is likely to field former MP CH Vijayashankar, a strong leader in the Kuruba community.Former chief minister Siddaramaiah having managed to ensure the Congress secured the Mysuru seat in the final seat-sharing arrangement with the JD(S) is keen on Vijayashankar’s candidature from the constituency. On the other hand, the BJP is likely to give the ticket to incumbent MP Pratap Simha Although not everyone in the Mysuru unit of the JD(S) is very happy with ceding the seat to the Congress, the party leadership is likely to ensure their support for the Congress candidate. However, BSP’s entry to the fray may turn the fight for Mysuru into a three-cornered contest. Vijayashankar has twice been elected as an MP from Mysuru, but as a BJP candidate. However, experts doubt if he will be able to rally voters from the general category as a Congress candidate.BSP’s Mysuru unit president M Basavaraju told TOI that various aspirants had expressed interest in contesting from the segment. “We will finalise the candidate for Mysuru at the state level meeting in Bengaluru on Monday. We are looking at a social activist, who can get the support of the people to win the polls,” said Basavaraju.BSP chief Mayawati is slated to visit Mysuru on April 10, and hold a rally at Maharaja’s Grounds. Local leaders of the party and workers are expecting a turnout of one lakh at the rally. “We are very serious about performing well in Karnataka. We are in the process of selecting candidates who can win the election,” added Basavaraju.

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