Ahead of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's visit to Karnataka, the State BJP has decided to finalise candidates for all the 28 lok Saba constituencies in the State. A daylong meeting of the top State BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, in Bangalore on Monday has discussed probable candidates for 16 lok Sabha seats, which will be sent to party high command for approval.
According to State BJP chief Prhalad Joshi, the party wants to finalise candidates for all the 28 seats before Modi's visit and sent to party high command for approval. He said, "We have started the process of selecting candidates for all the 28 seats. Today we have discussed 16 lok Saba seats and will be sent to the party for final call. It will be announced in Delhi."
According to sources, the leadership has a tough task at hand as it is considering replacing incumbent candidates in a few constituencies and has to deal with many senior leaders vying for tickets. The sources also confirmed there was a discussion on former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's reluctance and disinterest in the party affairs.
Though Yeddyurappa reiterated his stand against contesting the lok Sabha polls on Sunday, sources said there is no change in the party's decision to field him in Shimoga. He said, "We have discussed probable list of candidates in 16 constituencies and will finalise in rest of 12 constituencies. Yeddyurappa has been saying he is not interested in contesting. But the party is firm on fielding him from his native place Shimoga."
Yeddyurappa's move isare being seen as pressure tactics to force the BJP national leadership to give him greater importance and also reward KJP leaders who joined the party along with him recently.
The party leaders are on a sticky wicket in Bangalore North constituency with former Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda and former deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka vying for the ticket. Tumkur is another constituency which is proving problematic with Yeddyurappa in favour of re-nominating incumbent MP GS Basavaraju, who has earned the wrath of BJP national leaders for his diatribe against them. Selection of candidates for Mysore, Mandya, Koppal, Bangalore Central, Bangalore Rural, Chikballapur, Chitradurga, Bidar, Bagalkot and Raichur constituencies have been discussed in Monday's meeting.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda said that he was ready to contest where ever the party wants him to contest. In view of the triangular fight in many constituencies with the Congress and the JD(S), the BJP is making all efforts to bring together warring groups to avoid dissidence.