The list features 189 candidates, of which 52 are contesting for the first time. Among the new candidates are 32 from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 20 from Scheduled Castes (SC), and 16 from Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi.
The list features 189 candidates, of which 52 are contesting for the first time. Among the new candidates are 32 from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 20 from Scheduled Castes (SC), and 16 from Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities.
The announcement also revealed that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will contest from Shiggaon constituency, while BJP’s national general secretary Arun Singh made the announcement. Additionally, BY Vijayendra, the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, will contest from the Shikaripura seat.
Other notable candidates include State Minister B Sriramulu, who will contest from Bellary Rural, and State Health Minister Dr Sudhakar K, who will contest from Chikkaballapur. State Minister Dr Ashwathnarayan CN will contest from Malleshwaram seat, while Karnataka minister R Ashoka will contest from two seats of Padmanabhanagar and Kanakapura. Ashoka will be pitted against Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar from Kanakapura.
BJP’s Ramesh Jarakiholi has been fielded from his traditional seat of Gokak, while Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri is contesting from Sirsi. The BJP has also fielded V Somanna from Varuna, who will be contesting against former chief minister and Congress heavyweight Siddaramaiah. Former Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao, who joined the BJP from AAP, has been fielded from Chamarajpet.
The BJP’s Central Election Committee met on Sunday, and senior party leaders from the state held discussions to finalize the list by incorporating suggestions made at the meeting, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The period for filing nominations begins on April 13 and will continue until April 20. Karnataka will go to polls in a single phased election on May 10, with the counting of votes taking place on May 13.
The announcement of the BJP’s first list of candidates has set the stage for an exciting election in Karnataka, as candidates from different communities and backgrounds vie for a chance to represent their respective constituencies. As the election approaches, all eyes will be on the state to see how voters will react to the BJP’s candidate choices and the party’s campaign.
Commenting on the list Tejasvi Surya, Bengaluru South Lok Sabha Constituency MP said, “BJP’s list of candidates reflects the party’s commitment to grooming new and young leadership. The candidates also reflect the aspirations of a progressive state like Karnataka. They will emerge victorious and will implement the vision of PM Narendra Modi across the state. A look at
BJP’s list of 189 candidates for Karnataka Assembly Elections-52 new faces, 32 OBC candidates, 30 SC, 16 ST, 9 Women, 5 Advocates, 2 Retired Officers, Only the BJP ensures equitable and universal representation.”