The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections on May 10, 2023. The list includes 189 candidates, 52 of which are new faces. The party’s National General Secretary and Karnataka party in-charge, Arun Singh, stated that it includes 32 candidates from the other backward classes (OBC), 30 from scheduled castes (SC), and 16 from scheduled tribes (ST). Eight women candidates are part of the list. The BJP is aiming to retain power in the state by winning a majority in the 224-seat assembly.
The list features Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is contesting from his traditional Shiggaon seat, and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s son, B.Y. Vijayendra, who has been given a ticket from Shikaripura constituency, the same seat held by his father. Bhaskar Rao, a former IPS officer, also figures in the list and will contest from Chamrajpet in Bengaluru.
Revenue Minister R. Ashok will battle with KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar from Kanakapura and also contest from Padmanabhanagar. Housing Minister V. Somanna will fight former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah from Varuna and also contest from Chamarajnagar.
The BJP has aimed for a new generation of leadership and fresh ideas, according to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The party’s Central Election Committee met on April 9, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to finalise the list using suggestions from senior party leaders. The period for filing nominations starts from April 13 and will continue till April 20.
Despite the announcement of the candidates, several notable figures were missing from the list. Six-time MLA from Sullia (SC) in Dakshina Kannada and Minister for Fisheries, Ports, and Inland Water Transport, S Angara, was not given a ticket and was replaced by Bhagirathi Murulya. A.T. Ramaswamy, who recently joined BJP, was denied a ticket in Arakalgud, and Yoga Ramesh will contest instead.
The BJP faces a strong opposition from the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka. The assembly elections in 2018 saw a hung assembly, with the BJP emerging as the largest party but falling short of a majority. However, BJP formed the government with the help of smaller parties and independent candidates.
