Bengaluru : The state BJP, it looks, is not going to shy away from Nanjungud and Gundlupet despite losing the bypoll battle to the Congress. It has realised that keeping the 2018 assembly elections in view, it is worth keeping party workers enthusiastic.

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa along with the local leaders on Monday is going to address the party workers in Gundlupet town around 11.30 am. They will address in Nanjungud town around 4 pm on same day.

In a statement, the party has said that it has begun preparations for the next assembly elections. With the Congress giving tough fight to the BJP in Gundlupet and Nanjungud, it is essential to encourage BJP workers to work hard. ‘The results have proved that the only alternative to the Congress in these constituencies is the BJP,’ the statement added.

Former minister V Srinivas Prasad, who contested as the BJP nominee from Nanjungud, has said he will also join with Yeddyurappa to thank BJP workers.

C S Niranjankumar, the BJP candidate who lost in Gundlupet, said the BJP has improved its vote base in the constituency, which is a positive sign.

In an interaction with DH on Saturday, Niranjankumar said the BJP secured around 66,000 votes in the last two assembly elections. But this time has got 77,383 votes. This clearly shows that the only alternative to the Congress is the BJP.

Replying to a question, Niranjankumar said, “In the Begur zilla panchayat limits, I secured 3,800 votes lesser than the Congress candidate and in Gundlupet town, it was 3,000 lesser and in Angala zilla panchayat limits, it was 2,000 votes lesser. But I did well in Arave, Terakanambi and Kabballi. It is time for me to thank my voters. I will be facing the next election under tremendous pressure because I have lost the poll this time.”

Asked the reasons for his defeat, Srinivas Prasad said, “I expected that 75% of the total SC votes would come to me. But I secured just 55%. I expected 70% of the total Lingayat votes would be in my pocket. But I fell short by 5%. Kurubas, Uppara and minorities stood by the Congress.”

He alleged the Congress could manage better because former police officer Kempaiah was giving Intelligence inputs to Siddarmaiah on ground realities. “The Congress spent huge sums. I was confident of winning till April 6 and not later. Probably, we (BJP) should not have been carried away by the turnout at the public rallies. We could have managed the campaign better. Anyways, I will remain with the BJP though I will keep off from electoral politics,” he said.