Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader D.V. Sadananda Gowda said he is a prominent aspirant for a Rajya Sabha seat, adding that he has conveyed his interest to the party leadership.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Monday (May 25), Mr. Gowda, who also served as a Union Minister in the Cabinet led by Narendra Modi, said he had already retired from electoral politics and announced the decision before the previous Lok Sabha elections.

“BJP and JD(S) are in alliance in the State. I am an aspirant for the Rajya Sabha seat. I am ready to accept the responsibilities given by the party leadership,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether there were plans to change the State BJP president, Mr. Gowda said he was not aware of any such development and that such decisions are taken by the party high command. “I have not come across any discussion regarding a change in the party president, who has completed two years in office,” he said.

Launching an attack on the Congress government in Karnataka, Mr. Gowda alleged that people were dissatisfied with the administration led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and accused it of engaging in appeasement politics. “People are looking for change. If elections were held today, the Congress would not get even 50 seats,” he claimed.

On criticism over repeated increases in petroleum prices, Mr. Gowda defended the Union government, saying it was handling the situation carefully and trying to ensure that people were not inconvenienced by shortages of petrol and diesel. The government was managing the situation amid rising crude oil prices, he said.