Karnataka Key Candidates in Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Check complete list, profile of key contestants

Karnataka, with its 28 Lok Sabha seats, plays a significant role in the upcoming elections. The state underwent a two-phase election process, as announced by the Election Commission on March 16. Polling took place on April 26 and May 7, with Karnataka concluding its Lok Sabha elections early in the first quarter of the 2024 general elections.

Constituencies and phases

• Phase 2 (April 26): Udupi Chikmagalur, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikkballapur, and Kolar.
• Phase 3 (May 7): Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davanagere, and Shimoga.

Political alliances

The two main alliances in Karnataka are the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leads the NDA with 25 candidates, while the Janata Dal (Secular) fields 3 candidates. The Congress has nominated 28 candidates under the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

List of constituencies and candidates

 

Profile of key contestants

Tejasvi Surya

Tejasvi Surya, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), serves as the Member of Parliament for Bengaluru South, representing the youth voice in Indian politics. Taking over the reins in 2019 after the passing of veteran BJP leader Ananth Kumar, Surya became the youngest MP from the party. His electoral battle in the Silicon Valley of India pits him against Congress' Sowmya Reddy in one of the largest constituencies. Surya, born on November 16, 1990, in Bangalore, Karnataka, is a lawyer by profession, graduated from the Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies with a Bachelor of Academic Law and an LLB.

Rajeev Gowda

Professor M.V Rajeev Gowda, representing the Indian National Congress (INC), vies for the Bangalore North seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, scheduled for April 26, 2024, in Karnataka. Aged 61, Dr. Gowda holds a doctorate degree and has a clean record with zero cases against him. His financial profile reveals assets worth Rs 134 Crore, comprising Rs 14.7 Crore in movable assets and Rs 119.3 Crore in immovable assets, with liabilities amounting to Rs 1.5 Crore. Professionally, Dr. Gowda serves as a Part-Time Professor, Management Consultant, and Former Member of Parliament.

CN Manjunath

Renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. C N Manjunath, son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, stepped into politics with the BJP announcing his candidacy for the Bangalore Rural constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Heading the state-owned Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research for 17 years, Dr. Manjunath retired in January this year. Aged 67, he holds a post-graduate degree and has a clean record with zero cases against him. Financially, Dr. Manjunath's assets total Rs 98.4 Crore, with Rs 25.1 Crore in movable assets and Rs 73.3 Crore in immovable assets, alongside liabilities of Rs 14.8 Crore. Professionally, he is a Cardiologist.

Prajwal Revanna

Prajwal Revanna, scion of a notable political dynasty, is the son of H D Revanna, a former Minister and current MLA of Holenarasipur constituency. His uncle, H D Kumaraswamy, leads the JD(S) in the state. Graduating in mechanical engineering from Bangalore Institute of Technology in 2014, Prajwal swiftly entered politics, becoming JD(S)'s youngest state secretary at 29 in November 2019. He secured victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from the family stronghold, Hassan constituency. However, his political career faced a setback when the Karnataka High Court nullified his election as MP due to alleged asset declaration discrepancies, including undeclared wealth.

DV Sadananda Gowda

Devaragunda Venkappa Sadananda Gowda, a prominent politician, became Karnataka's 26th Chief Minister on August 4, 2011, following B.S. Yeddyurappa's resignation. Currently serving as the Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Gowda represents the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha from Bangalore North and previously held the Minister of Law and Justice position. Born in 1953 in Mandekolu, he has a law degree from Puttur. Gowda's political career began with the RSS and ABVP, rising through BJP ranks to serve as state president and national secretary. He first entered electoral politics in 1994.

These key battles are set in diverse constituencies, ranging from urban centers like Bangalore Central and South, to the culturally rich Mysore, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for the candidates.