"Shocking," Says Ex-Minister's Wife After Losing Race For Bengaluru Seat

The BJP's decision to pick Tejasvi Surya as its candidate in the high-profile Bangalore South seat in Karnataka for the national election has left in shock a leader who had even started her campaign - Tejaswini Ananth Kumar.

Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, 53, had been recommended for the seat that her husband, Union Minister Ananth Kumar, held till he died last year. Ananth Kumar was a five-time parliamentarian from the seat.

Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa, who had recommended her name to his party bosses, told NDTV that she would be the Bangalore South candidate. Last night, Tejaswini Ananth Kumar learnt that she had been passed over for 28-year-old lawyer Tejasvi Surya.

"It is shocking to (my workers) and even to me. I have been telling myself it is important to show our maturity, that we are a party with a difference," Tejaswini Ananth Kumar said in an interview to news agency ANI.

"I stand with the party's decision. Let's not start asking questions. If we have to contribute to the country then we have to work for (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi-ji."

She referred to defence personnel who worked for the country without bothering about their families.

"(My husband) worked all these years. We always worked with the idea of nation first, party next, self-interest last. Now it is the time to show we always believed in that," Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, a social worker and an engineer by qualification, said.

Party sources say in the race for Bangalore South, the party preferred Tejasvi Surya because of his sharp oratory. Many in the BJP argue that will be an asset in a constituency that has intricate caste math.

Also, a combined Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress will be a tougher challenge than before.In the high-profile Jayanagar assembly seat in south Bengaluru, which has traditionally voted BJP, the Congress's Sowmya Reddy with the help of JD(S) was able to narrowly win in the state election last year. She defeated the brother of the BJP legislator, Vijay Kumar, who had died while campaigning.

Tejasvi Surya, say BJP leaders, is a young, dynamic face who is known for his strong speeches. He has also a strong association with the BJP's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

(With inputs from ANI)