The BJP held meetings to finalize candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls, with senior leaders from the state in attendance. The nomination process begins on April 13th, and the election will be held on May 10th. Meanwhile, the entry of Amul into Karnataka has caused a political row with the opposition attacking the BJP government and labeling it a “Gujarat intrusion” into Karnataka.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India is finalizing its list of candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls. The central election committee met on Sunday to discuss and finalize the list of probable candidates for the state assembly polls. It was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president J P Nadda, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, his predecessor B S Yediyurappa, and other leaders from the state were also part of the process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly gave some directions, although the nature of these was not disclosed. The BJP is expected to announce the first list of 170-180 candidates soon, with the nomination process beginning on April 13 ahead of the May 10 elections. The opinion of Yediyurappa, the party’s foremost leader in Karnataka, for certain seats is thought to differ from that of other senior leaders.

The political climate in the state is heating up, with the Congress asking the Election Commission of India to cover up the lotus-shaped Shivamogga airport terminal till polls conclude, while also objecting to Amul entering the state and supporting local brand Karnataka Milk Federation. Opposition to the BJP government and Prime Minister’s role in this issue is intensifying, with former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accusing them of destroying the cooperative society of KMF.

Indian Prime Minister Modi was in Karnataka recently, where he visited the Bandipur Tiger Reserve as part of programmes to mark 50 years of “Project Tiger”. PM Modi went on a 20-kilometre-long safari in an open jeep and visited the Theppakkadu elephant camp at Mudumalai, where he interacted with the elephant caretakers who featured in an Oscar-winning documentary.

Congress also released a second list of 42 candidates, and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wish to stand from Kolar was not addressed. Siddaramaiah had watched an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians on April 2 in the midst of the political stress building up ahead of the state assembly elections in Karnataka.