Karnataka Elections 2023: The BJP on Tuesday released its first list of 189 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023. Assembly elections in the state are scheduled to be held on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.
Out of the 189 candidates that the BJP announced today, 52 of them will be fresh faces, the party said.
CM Basavaraj Bommai will contest from Shiggaon constituency, informed BJP's National General Secretary, Arun Singh.
Y Vijayendra, son of former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, will contest from the Shikaripura seat. State Minister B Sriramulu to contest from Bellary Rural seat.
State Health Minister Dr Sudhakar K will contest from Chikkaballapur seat, State Minister Dr Ashwathnarayan CN to contest from Malleshwaram seat, another minister R Ashoka will contest from two seats - Padmanabhanagar and Kanakapura.
CT Ravi, BJP National General Secretary, to contest from Chikmagalur seat. V Somanna to contest against Congress leader Siddaramaiah from Varuna seat and also from Chamarajanagar seat.
According to the list, the BJP has given tickets to 9 doctors, 8 women, 8 social activists, 5 advocates, 3 academicians, 3 retired government employees, and 1 retired IAS and IPS officers.
Speaking on former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Chettar's statement that he was hurt by the party's decision for not to give him the ticket, BJP said that he's a senior leader and that the party will be able to make him understand.
The filing of nominations will begin on April 13, with the poll notification being issued, and the last day for filing papers is April 20.
The BJP, aiming to return to power in Karnataka with absolute majority, has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 seats in the Assembly.
While the Congress has already announced a total of 166 candidates, including Karnataka Sarvodaya Party's Darshan Puttannaiah for whom it has extended support in Melukote constituency, in two lists, JD(S) has announced one list of 93 candidates.
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