The upcoming Karnataka assembly elections are a turning point for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when questions have also been raised about the state of democracy in India under PM Modi’s rule.
The Karnataka assembly elections could potentially be an indication of what the future holds for the ruling party in the Government of India, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
BJP has released the first list of its candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections. The list has returned some big names including the current chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, The list also saw new inclusions including BY Vijayendra, son of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. Yeddyurappa’s son will contest from Shikaripura seat.
The BJP has fielded 52 new candidates and retained 90 sitting MLAs, including 11 each from the Congress and JD(S), which helped the alliance wrest power in 2019.
As per ANI report, the saffron party will finalize candidates for the remaining 35 seats by Wednesday afternoon.
224 member election Karnataka Legislative Assembly Will be on 10th May. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on May 13.
Here are the top contests to watch in the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections
Kanakapura: This high profile seat falling under the Bengaluru (Rural) Lok Sabha seat is considered the stronghold of Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar. The Congress veteran has represented the seat since 2008, winning it three times in a row. He will be up against state minister and BJP leader R Ashok.
Varun: Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah The 75-year-old leader, who is the face of the Congress from this seat, had represented the seat in 2008 and 2013. The BJP has fielded former minister V Somana against Siddaramaiah. Recently he had announced that the election to be held on May 10 would be his last election. “I am contesting from Varuna assembly constituency as my native village comes under this constituency. This will be my last election. I will retire from electoral politics”, he had told ANI.
Channapatna: Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is contesting from this seat, which is 60 km from the state capital. He had won this seat in 2018 as well. BJP has fielded CP Yogeshwar against the former CM.
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