Karnataka: Tejashiwni Ananth Kumar all set to quit BJP

As 15-minute meeting between Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president Tejaswini Ananth Kumar and state Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar has raised curiosity in the Karnataka political circles. Speculation is rife that the Congress, in power in Karnataka, may rope in Tejaswini — believed to have been sidelined in BJP affairs — before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Neither party has, however, reacted to the rumours.Soon after the Monday meeting, a message was shared from Shivakumar’s official handle on X.“Smt @Tej_AnanthKumar, wife of senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar met me today at Kumara Krupa guest house and discussed state’s political issues,” it said in Kannada.
However, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru Monday evening, Shivakumar denied that there was any discussion on politics with Tejaswini.“We did not discuss politics. There is no truth to that. Any post on my behalf stating that we discussed politics is wrong. We spoke about programmes of Ananth Kumar, his birthday, Anna Bhagya (scheme) and other pending bills. No truth that we spoke politics,” he said, adding that he would fire the person who made the post on his behalf.Speaking to media, a person directly aware of developments, said that both Shivakumar and Tejaswini “spoke in private for 15 minutes”. “We are in touch with many leaders in the BJP who want to join us,” the person added, refusing to divulge any names.
Shivakumar, who is also the deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, has also said on several occasions that many BJP leaders would soon join his party. Tejaswini, the widow of former Union minister and veteran BJP leader Ananth Kumar, was not even given a ticket by the party for this year’s assembly election in Karnataka.In 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, she was also denied a ticket from Bengaluru South constituency, which her husband had represented. The BJP instead fielded 28-year-old Tejasvi Surya from the seat. Tejaswini had reportedly labelled the party’s decision as “shocking” at the time.
Tejaswini also runs an NGO, Adamya Chetana, in south Bengaluru which provides mid-day meals to around one lakh school children every day. While there have been rumours that she may part ways with the BJP.

(Dr Mysi Patil, State Correspondent)