What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
New Delhi: BJP has released its second list of candidates for the upcoming Karnataka elections, causing quite a stir. The list includes 23 names, but the absence of former CM Jagadish Shettar’s name and seat has kept the suspense around his candidature alive. The list comes amid the possibility of a rebellion by Shettar, a six-time MLA. However, senior party leader Yeddiyurappa has stated that there is a 99% chance that Shettar will be given a ticket.
Following the announcement of BJP’s much-awaited first list of candidates on Wednesday, several senior leaders, former CMs, and DCMs expressed their dissatisfaction with the party’s decision, leading to a huge rebellion. Jagdish Shettar, who was eager to contest the elections, reached the National Capital on Wednesday and met with JP Nadda, requesting that the party reconsider its decision not to give him a ticket.
“After meeting with the party president JP Nadda, I expressed my desire to contest the elections. I have won the last six elections, and the party president said he would discuss it with other leaders and reach a conclusion,” said Jagadish Shettar, BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister
The party has dropped six current MLAs and has fielded two women candidates.
Last month, during BJP’s campaign, party workers surrounded former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s car in protest while he was in Mudigere to support MP Kumaraswamy.
MLA Sukumar Shetty from Byndoor has been dropped, and Gururaj Gantihole will be contesting from the seat.
In Varuna, V Somanna is contesting against Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Somanna had sought a ticket for his son from Gubbi, but the party had chosen SD Dileep Kumar to contest from the Gubbi constituency.
BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, who was arrested on corruption charges, has been replaced by Shiv Kumar as the party’s candidate in Channagiri.
Davanagere North MLA Ravindranath and Haveri MLA Nehru Olekar have been dropped from their seats, and instead, Lokikere Nagaraj and Gavisiddappa Dyamannavar will be contesting from these constituencies, respectively.
With 212 candidates announced so far and 12 more pending, the party is still facing rebellion from disgruntled leaders. Jagdish Shettar himself has reached out to party president JP Nadda to reconsider their decision of not giving him a ticket.
