Bengaluru: Intense lobbying by scores of ticket aspirants forced top leaders of BJP to put off an announcement on the list of candidates to contest 28 Lok Sabha seats, but the names of probables would be released at the end of a meeting of the core committee in the state capital on Friday.
Sources in the state unit of BJP said since the party emerged as the single largest entity with 104 seats in last year's Assembly polls, leaders have decided to factor in the inputs of all legislators before drawing up the list of probable candidates for all 28 constituencies on March 15. The fate of 17 MPs too could be sealed on that day though the party has adopted a clear stand that all of them would be retained and even sent word to them to commence election related work such as meetings with local leaders and workers and key personalities in their respective constituencies. Therefore, some of these MPs have returned to their constituencies to commence preliminary work, according to state unit general secretary N Ravikumar.
Sources, however, pointed out that some seats had turned problematic for the party, in particular Udupi-Chikkamagaluru seat, represented by Ms Shobha Karandlaje, close associate of state unit president B.S.Yeddyurappa. Many aspirants are seeking ticket for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru seat following resentment of voters as well as party cadre against Ms Shobha Karandlaje. But Ms Shobha sensed that ticket aspirants have launched a negative campaign against her and therefore complained to state and central leadership about 'Go back Shobhakka' campaign against her. A majority of BJP MLAs of Udupi and Chikkamagaluru too are opposing her candidature. Notwithstanding such negative campaign against her, the state unit has made up its mind to clear her name for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, said sources close to Mr. Yeddyurappa. The "Go back Shobhakka" campaign, however, has reached the doorstep of party president Amit Shah and PM Modi, sources added.
Sources said despite opposition from BJP senior leader Basavaraj Patil Yatnal, the party would field Union minister Ramesh Jigajinagi. In Bengaluru (Rural) constituency, in 2014, Tulasi Muniraju contested on BJP ticket. This time, however, the party seems likely to give the ticket to former minsiter C.P. Yogeshwar, sources added. .
In Hassan, in 2014, party fielded former minister C.H. Vijayshankar against JD (S) president H. D. Deve Gowda. However this time party is mulling to field strong candidate against Prajwal Revanna. Sources close to Mr Yeddyurappa said the party likely to field former minister A.Manju against Prajwal Revanna. Mr. Manju had approached Mr Yeddyurappa and expressed his willingness to join the BJP, sources added.
