The BJP is ‘revising’ the list of candidates for Karnataka Assembly polls and will release the first lot of nominees for the May 10 elections by Tuesday or Wednesday. After the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the BJP with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance, a day before, had prolonged vetting of the list for 224 Assembly seats in Karnataka, the top leadership sat for another round of marathon deliberations on Monday on the names of the candidates.
Sources denied that former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had difference of opinion on the proposal to drop some sitting MLAs. He had earlier stated that all sitting MLAs, some of whom have defected to the BJP from JDS in 2019, would also allotted tickets.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the first list of the BJP candidates for the May 10 Assembly elections will be released either on Tuesday or Wednesday. He said there is no confusion regarding finalising the list. “Most probably the first list will be released tomorrow or the day after tomorrow”.
There is a likelihood of releasing it this evening but since there are more discussions to happen, it could be released on Tuesday or Wednesday, Bommai told reporters here. “For some candidates more ground report has to be gathered, more information has to be collected and discussion on the new candidates has to take place,” the Chief Minister said.
Earlier in the day, Yediyurappa had said the first list of about 170 to 180 candidates for elections to the 224-member Assembly would be released by this evening.
However, later in the afternoon, Yediyurappa said “Yesterday there were discussions about all the constituencies. Today again our national president J P Nadda had called me for a few more clarifications. I have explained them. He may clear it (list) this evening or tomorrow”.
When asked whether he was unhappy as he was not present in the meeting in the morning convened by Nadda, Yediyurappa denied it and said: “Whatever suggestions I had given they (BJP leadership) have agreed. We are going to get absolute majority and we are going to form the government. There is no doubt about it.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nadda, Karnataka Chief Minister , Yediyurappa and other leaders from the state attended these meetings during the day for further scrutinizing of the list of the candidates. Shah later left for Arunchal Pradesh while other leaders continued the deliberations. Bommai had on Sunday said after the CEC meeting that Prime Minister Modi gave some directions. The CM told reporters on Monday that the party is working on various inputs. He, however, did not elaborate on the nature of directions or inputs.
Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting at Nadda’s residence, Yediyurappa rejected the reports that he was “unhappy” with the candidate-selection exercise and praised the party leadership.
Congress and the JDS have released their candidates list ahead of the BJP. The ruling BJP is wary of anti-incumbency factor and seeks to allot ticket to more of the younger candidates “with no baggages” , sources said.
Candidates selection could be crucial in a triangular contest and the BJP hopes that Prime Minister’s campaigning in the southern state would give it a winning edge.