Sir,

We hear the news that Prathap Simha, the sitting MP, will not get a ticket and there is definitely disappointment among many BJP voters of Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha (LS) Constituency.

First, because they are losing a “development” oriented MP, worse it seems that BJP does not care for the performance of its MP, which means the whole “report card” system they take pride in is a farce !

If this is the case, then every MP who comes next will think that his future in BJP is not guaranteed even if he works hard for his Constituency. So he will join the local politicians and become corrupt.

Prathap Simha not getting a ticket has only brought glee and grin among certain local  BJP leaders and a few State BJP leaders but certainly it has made BJP voters very unhappy.

Now, BJP voters may not want to vote for other party candidates. And they may not feel obliged to vote for BJP candidate either. In such a dilemma, they can press the NOTA (None Of The Above) button in the EVMs.

May be Mysureans, who love this city, who want this city to be future ready and not go the Bengaluru way, may opt for NOTA.

If that happens, Mysuru- Kodagu BJP voters will be the first in India to use NOTA to force a political party to re-think its decision and set a precedent that a party cannot take its guaranteed vote bank for granted.

Voters may console themselves saying that their one seat in Lok Sabha will not decide whether Modi will become PM or not. This being the case, they may use their vote to send a message to BJP top brass.

— S. Chengappa, Kuvempunagar, 12.3.2024

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