Kundapura: BJP’s release of the first list of candidates for the legislative assembly elections has selected former MLA and recently rejoined leader Halady Srinivas Shetty. This brings an end to the confusion in Kundapura. Until the release of the second candidate list, the uncertainty over Byndoor constituency will remain.

In 2008, Halady was promised a ministerial position in the BJP government after winning the third time from Kundapura. He had gone to Bengaluru to take part in the oath ceremony. But at the last moment, he was dropped from the list. Hurt by this, he resigned from the party. In 2013 elections, he contested as an independent and won by a margin of 40,000 votes.

He pushed BJP to the third position. But, after his victory, his attitude towards BJP softened and he asked the workers to support BJP candidates during the parliament, Z.P., G.P. and T.P. elections. He also took part in BJP’s ‘Parivarthana Yatra’. To rejoin BJP, he resigned as the MLA before his term ended.

There was opposition within BJP against the selection of Halady as the party candidate. Support was being given to Kishore Kumar, who helped BJP during its dark period. It was followed by the call to give opportunity to former MP Jayaprakash Hegde. Before this, Jayaprakash Hegde was visiting the houses of voters in Kundapura Constituency asking for votes in the name of the party.