First list of BJP candidates likely to be out next week

The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to come out with its first list of candidates for the Assembly elections around April 10.

“The first list is likely to be announced next week, but not before April 10,” said a senior BJP leader. It is expected to have 140 names.

While much was made of the surveys about “winnability” of candidates by the party’s central leadership and it caused anxiety among several incumbent MLAs, sources said most of them were likely to get ticket to contest the forthcoming elections. “At the most, two to three sitting MLAs may miss out on tickets,” a prominent leader said.

This is being seen as the party’s strategy of not taking risk in the elections which are expected to see a very tough fight. Interestingly, the governing Congress too is learnt to have refrained from executing its earlier proposal of not considering a sizeable number of incumbent MLAs for ticket.

BJP central leadership had sought surveys by multiple agencies to identify suitable candidates. Following this, the party’s State unit top leaders were told not to announce candidates during their rallies and conventions. However, it is learnt that consultations among senior leaders, local units and central leadership would play a key role in deciding candidates while the survey results would provide only feedback on potential candidates.

Discontent in some areas

Meanwhile, the BJP is already witnessing a tussle in some places among its ticket aspirants. Speculation is rife that the former Minister V. Somanna, MLC, is upset over the possibility of him not getting to contest from his preferred constituency of Hanur in Chamarajanagar district.

The former Minister H. Halappa, who had earlier represented Sorab in Shivamogga district, is now peeved as the party has roped in Kumar Bangarappa from the Congress, who is tipped to get ticket to contest from the segment this time. Perhaps to placate Mr. Halappa, who had publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the development, party leaders had indicated that he would be tried from Sagar. But this has ruffled feathers of the former MLA for Sagar Belur Gopalakrishna, who is keen to contest from Sagar. Interestingly, the Janata Dal (S) has not announced its candidate for Sagar, giving rise to speculation that it is waiting to woo disappointed ticket aspirants from the BJP.

Party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa held a meeting with Mr. Halappa here on Monday. It’s outcome, however, is not yet clear.