BJP may field Gaddigoudar from Badami, Shobha from Yeshwantpur

The BJP, which is searching for winnable candidates for the May 12 Assembly polls, is likely to field its Udupi-Chikamagalur MP Shobha Karandlaje from Yeswanthpur in Bengaluru and Bagalkot MP P C Gaddigoudar from Badami.

“Since the party is following winnability as the criteria for selecting candidates for the remaining 70 Assembly seats, it is planning to field two more MPs,” a senior leader from the party told DH.

The party hopes that by fielding Shobha, a Vokkaliga, from Yeswanthpur it can easily win the constituency that has the highest number of Vokkaliga votes. Shobha was elected to the Assembly from Yeswantpur in 2008 elections.

Being a Lingayat leader, Gaddigoudar hopes to win the Badami seat which has the highest number of voters from his community.

Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sought the Congress high command’s permission to contest from Badami, as well as from Chamundeshwari in Mysuru. However, Siddaramaiah reportedly droppd the idea to contest from Badami after the party suggested him that he can contest from only one seat.

“The party top leaders are still finalising the candidates for remaining constituencies and list is likely to be announced Wednesday or Thursday,” said the BJP leader.

Since the third list of candidates is crucial, the party told its senior leaders to suggests three ‘’winnable” candidates from each of the remaining 70 segment. From these three names, the party will pick the most popular one, said the leader.

The BJP has already fielded two MPs- state president B S Yeddyurappa from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district and Bellary MP B Sriramulu from Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district.

Though over half-a-dozen MPs have sought permission from the party to contest the Assembly polls, the party top brass rejected their request saying that they don’t want by-polls to the Lok Sabha from many seats.

Earlier, though Yeddyurappa had tried hard get the Assembly ticket for Shobha, the party central leadership had said a firm no to it.

Now, the party has changed its mind and is planning to field more MPs for the Assembly polls as winning Karnataka Assembly elections is a prestige for the party, said the leader.