Two former Chief Ministers, Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, both from the influential Lingayat community, are being considered as potential candidates….reports Asian Lite News
In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, the BJP is strategically positioning itself for significant victories. Two former Chief Ministers, Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, both from the influential Lingayat community, are being considered as potential candidates, crucial to the party’s core vote-base.
B.S. Yediyurappa, a veteran leader, hinted at these developments, mentioning discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP’s national president J.P. Nadda regarding candidates for all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state. However, final decisions remain pending.
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There’s speculation that Bommai, currently an MLA from Shiggaon, may contest from Haveri, while Shettar could vie for Belgaum (Belagavi). Their Lingayat background aligns with BJP’s voter base, pivotal for electoral success.
Shettar’s return to BJP in January after a brief stint with Congress underscores the party’s strategic realignment. Both candidates hold promise in retaining key seats for the party.
The alliance with JD(S) adds another layer to the electoral calculus. Yediyurappa suggested that BJP might allocate two to three seats to JD(S), a decision ultimately resting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
JD(S) is eyeing key constituencies like Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar. The possibility of JD(S) candidates contesting on BJP symbols adds further intrigue to the dynamics.
The BJP’s aim is to replicate or exceed its 2019 performance, where it secured 25 out of 28 seats, bolstering its dominance in the region. However, the political landscape has shifted since then, with Congress emerging victorious in recent Assembly elections, signaling a renewed challenge.
For JD(S), joining the BJP-led NDA marked a strategic move, showcasing its continued relevance, especially in South Karnataka.
As the electoral landscape evolves, the BJP’s focus remains on consolidating its stronghold while navigating shifting alliances and voter sentiments, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Lok Sabha battle in Karnataka.
Congress hints at fielding ministers
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress state President D.K. Shivakumar said that a meeting of the party’s Election Committee is slated for Thursday evening and discussions on 50 per cent of candidates for Lok Sabha constituencies from the state would be held.
Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar stated that it is not possible to release the names of candidates of all 28 Lok Sabha seats in one list.
“We will announce the list in two phases,” he said.
Asked about fielding cabinet ministers and those who joined the party recently, Shivakumar said that in politics, all is possible.
To a question whether the Congress will announce the list once the BJP list is out, he asserted that there is a difference in the politics carried out by the BJP and the Congress.
“In our Congress, there is no emphasis on the individual. We carry out politics on our guarantees and the party. If they (the BJP) play with their calculations, we will have our own calculations,” he said.
Asked why Congress could not select the candidates much earlier, Shivakumar maintained that the discussion in this regard was held only a month ago and subtle communication has been made to the probables.
Asked about whether the notices to him stopped after the apex court quashed the ED case against him, Shivakumar stated the notices are still issued to him. “The media has worked day and night following leads on me. I know my pains. The people of the state had launched a struggle for me. They are happy now, that is enough for me,” he said.
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