BJP releases first list of 72 candidates for Karnataka polls
Yesterday, BJP announced its first list of 72 candidates contesting the Assembly polls in Karnataka. This list was made public after the meeting of BJP's Central Election Committee. It was chaired by chief Amit Shah and attended by PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and former CM BS Yeddyurappa, among others. Here's more about it.
Yeddyurappa, Sriramulu, Eshwarappa feature in first list
BJP's chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa will be contesting from the Shikaripura seat. His internal rival and Leader of the Opposition in the Council KS Eshwarappa will be fighting from the Shivamogga seat, which is incidentally represented by Yeddyurappa in LS. B Sriramulu, an ST leader associated with mining scam-tainted kingpin Janardhan Reddy, has been accommodated at Molkalmuru.
Several party hoppers and two women have been accommodated
Notably, 10 prominent party hoppers who joined the BJP recently have been provided tickets. This includes Malikayya Guttedar and AS Nadahalli who deserted the Congress and will be contesting from Afzalpur and Muddebihal respectively. BJP insists that they have "enough clout in their respective regions." Two women candidates Shashikala Jolle from Athani and Roopali Naik from Karwar are also included in the list.
What might work in BJP's favor for these elections?
Earlier in 2011, Yeddyurappa was forced to resign following graft charges. Subsequently, he quit and formed his own party, the Karnataka Janata Party (KJP). The party didn't make any impact but damaged BJP's prospects in 2013 polls. Sriramulu also floated BSR Congress that time. This time around, they are all fighting as a unified force, which should work in BJP's favor.
What about Congress's and JD(S)'s candidates list?
Karnataka's 224-seat political battleground is witnessing intense campaigning. Notably, JD(S) has already announced candidates for 126 constituencies. The ruling Congress will announce names to all constituencies by April 15. This is a high-stake election. Congress is trying to retain one of its last-remaining strongholds. For BJP, it's a gateway to the South as it wishes to inch closer to its "Congress-mukt Bharat" vision.
