The BJP on Tuesday named its Karnataka Yuva Morcha General Secretary Tejaswi Surya as candidate for the prestigious Banagalore South Lok Sabha constituency, which goes to poll on April 18.
The party’s central election committee has decided to field the 28-year-old practicing lawyer in the Karnataka High Court, a party official told here.
Touted to be a fiery orator, Surya is considered to be a protege of the party’s right wing parent organisation, the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak (RSS). “Surya is also a member of our national social media team,” the official added.
The surprise selection of the “young turk” dashes hopes of Tejaswini, widow of late Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister HN Ananth Kumar, contesting from the high-profile seat, which her husband had won for a record six times since 1996. Tejaswi Ananth Kumar has been denied the ticket although her name was recommended by state unit chief BS Yeddyurappa publicly.
In a series of tweets, Surya expressed his joy and pleasure over his selection and thanked the party.
“OMG OMG! I can’t believe this. PM of world’s largest democracy and President of largest political party have reposed faith in a 28-year-old guy to represent them in a constituency as prestigious a Bangalore South. This can happen only in my BJP. Only in #NewIndia of @narendramodi,” tweeted Surya after the party selected him.
OMG OMG!!! I can’t believe this.
PM of world’s largest democracy & President of largest political party have reposed faith in a 28 yr old guy to represent them in a constituency as prestigious as B’lore South. This can happen only in my BJP. Only in #NewIndia of @narendramodi— Chowkidar Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 25, 2019
I am humbled. Grateful. Overwhelmed. I thank PM @narendramodi for giving me this opportunity. I can’t thank you enough, Modi Ji. I promise you that I shall work ceaselessly for our motherland till my last breath. That is the only way I can repay this debt of gratitude. THANK YOU!
— Chowkidar Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 25, 2019
My hands are trembling as I type this. Last year, I had opportunity to talk to our Hon’ble President @AmitShah Ji. The one hour conversation with him left me so motivated that I couldn’t sleep for a week. His determination, conviction to ideology is infectious. Thank you!
— Chowkidar Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 25, 2019
Ananthkumar Ji. My first guru in public life. He has seen me grow up since my high school days. I have learnt so much seeing him, talking to him and just seeing him at work. He is one of the tallest leaders of Karnataka ever. I am eternally grateful to him. pic.twitter.com/KGGKSlTNtM
— Chowkidar Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 25, 2019
The BJP also named Aswath Narain as its candidate from Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency against sitting Congress member DK Suresh, who is re-contesting for the second time.