“The list (first list of BJP candidates) can be expected today,” Bommai told reporters.
Bengaluru:
Karnataka Chief Minister Basraj Bommai today said that the first list of BJP candidates for the May 10 assembly elections is expected to be released today.
BJP leaders have been holding a series of meetings in New Delhi for the last two days to finalize the list.
State BJP stalwart and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa has indicated that the first list may have names of 170-180 candidates.
“The list can be expected today,” Bommai told reporters in New Delhi.
According to party sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to hold a meeting with the chief minister and other senior leaders to finalize the list on his return to the national capital from his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, after which it will be released.
Senior BJP leaders, including those from Karnataka, held a day-long consultation on Monday to finalize candidates for the state assembly polls, incorporating suggestions made at the recent BJP Central Election Committee meeting.
These meetings were attended by Amit Shah, party president JP Nadda, Bommai, Yediyurappa and other state leaders. Shah later left for Arunachal Pradesh while the other leaders continued the deliberations.
Bommai had said after the CEC meeting on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given some instructions. The CM told reporters on Monday that the party was working on various inputs. However, he did not elaborate on the nature of the instructions or inputs.
Speculations are rife that the high command is unhappy with some leaders or MLAs seeking tickets for their children as well; Some sitting MLAs and ministers may also not figure in the list. Too many candidates are also cited as a cause for concern.
The process of filing nominations will start from April 13, with the issue of election notification, the last date for filing nominations is April 20.
The BJP, which is aiming to return to power in Karnataka with an absolute majority, has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 assembly seats.
While the Congress has already announced a total of 166 candidates, including Karnataka Sarvodaya Party’s Darshan Puttannaiah, to whom it has extended support in Melukote constituency, in two lists, the JD(S) made a list of 93 candidates. announced.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)