BJP in Karnataka has announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming state elections, with the aim of giving new faces a chance to represent the people. The party has put forward as many as 52 new candidates in the first list, indicating a fresh approach to politics.
However, the decision to drop several current MLAs has caused some discontent within the party. Senior leader Laxman Savadi, who was dropped as a candidate, has quit the party. Savadi is a powerful Lingayat leader in the state, known for his organizational skills. In 2012, he was caught watching porn in the assembly, which caused controversy. Despite this, he was given a role in the 2019 BJP coup. Savadi’s exit from the BJP could be a significant setback for the party.
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who was among those missing from the first list, has threatened to contest as an independent. Meanwhile, the party has chosen several new candidates instead of current MLAs, with the aim of capturing the popular vote.
The BJP’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has emphasized the need for candidates who are a “proof of intent.” The party is committed to “clean politics” and is serious about tackling the state’s problems. The move to put forward new faces in the upcoming state elections is a strategy aimed at capturing the popular vote and showcasing the party’s commitment to clean politics.
The Karnataka Congress chief, DK Shivakumar, has denied rumors that Laxman Savadi is in talks with the Congress. It remains to be seen whether the BJP’s strategy of putting forward new faces in the upcoming state elections will pay off.
