Karnataka polls: BJP announces names of 72 candidates, Yeddyurappa to contest from Shikaripura

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released a list of 72 candidates for Karnataka assembly contest. Chief ministerial candidate for Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa, will contest from Shikaripura assembly constituency, according to the announcement.

Senior party leader JP Nadda released the list of 72 candidates following the party’s committee meeting. Earlier, the BJP top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, had met on Sunday night to finalise the candidates for the polls.

Veteran state leaders Jagadish Shettar and KS Eswarappa would contest from Hubli Dharwad Central and Shimoga Assembly seats, respectively, media reports said.

The BJP has also fielded its Lok Sabha MP B Sriramulu in the polls.

Media reports said the names of remaining candidates were likely to be announced soon.

The elections to the 225-seat assembly are scheduled for May 12.

The BJP is making all efforts to oust the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government from the state, the only big state where the opposition party is in power.