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The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka. The list contains 189 candidates, including 52 new faces and 90 sitting MLAs, and features several strategic decisions, including allowing senior leaders R Ashoka and V Somanna to contest against Congress stalwarts D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah in Kanakapura and Varuna, respectively.
In this article, we will analyze the BJP’s strategy for the upcoming elections, the reasoning behind their candidate selection, and the implications for the state’s politics.
Background
The Karnataka Assembly elections are crucial for the BJP as the state is the party’s only bastion in the south. The party is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s popularity and its robust organizational structure to retain power in the state.
The election will be held on May 10, and votes will be cast to elect the 224-member House. In the 2018 Assembly elections, the BJP won 104 seats, falling short of a majority, while the Congress won 80 seats and the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) won 37 seats. However, the BJP was able to form the government with the support of the JDS.
The BJP’s Strategy
The BJP’s candidate selection for the upcoming elections has been driven by a desire to infuse “youthfulness, fresh and future ideas” into the party in the state, according to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is a party observer for the polls.
The party has introduced 52 new faces in the first list of candidates in a bid to beat anti-incumbency. It hopes that the “freshness” factor in the list will resonate with the electorate and help it retain power.
The BJP has also retained 90 sitting MLAs, including 11 from the Congress and JDS who crossed over to the BJP in 2019 to help it form the government. The party has dropped several sitting MLAs, including veteran S Angara from Sullia, Sanjeeva Matandoor of Puttur, Raghupathy Bhat of Udupi, and Lalaji Mendon of Kapu, among others.
In a strategic move, the party has allowed senior leaders R Ashoka and V Somanna to contest against Congress stalwarts D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah in Kanakapura and Varuna, respectively. Ashoka and Somanna will also contest from their strongholds of Padmanabhanagar and Chamarajanagar, respectively.
The party has also brought in 12 new faces for constituencies won by its MLAs in 2018, including the Shikaripura seat held by former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, where his son B Y Vijayendra has been named the candidate. Similarly, Siddharth Singh, son of MLA Anand Singh who defected from the Congress in 2019, and Nikhil Katti, son of former MLA Umesh Katti who died last year, have been chosen to replace their fathers in the Vijayanagara and Hukkeri seats.
Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai will contest again from his traditional seat of Shiggaon in Haveri district.
Implications
The BJP’s candidate selection for the upcoming elections is a clear indication of the party’s intent to retain power in the state. The party has tried to strike a balance between retaining sitting MLAs and introducing fresh faces to beat anti-incumbency.
The decision to allow senior leaders R Ashoka and V Somanna to contest against Congress stalwarts D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah in Kanakapura and Varuna, respectively the BJP would ensure a victory for the party in the elections.
The BJP’s decision to field fresh faces in the elections is a calculated move. With anti-incumbency being a major factor in the Indian political landscape, it is important for the party to project itself as a party of change. The introduction of young, dynamic candidates could help the party appeal to younger voters, who are looking for a new and progressive political leadership.
However, it is important to note that the BJP’s strategy is not without risks. By fielding a large number of new candidates, the party is also risking a lack of experience among its candidates. In addition, the party’s decision to field close relatives of existing politicians could also raise questions about dynastic politics.
Despite these risks, the BJP seems to be confident of its prospects in the Karnataka Assembly elections. The party’s strong organisational structure and the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi could help it overcome any hurdles it may face.
Conclusion
The BJP’s decision to field 52 new candidates in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections is a strategic move aimed at beating anti-incumbency and projecting itself as a party of change. By introducing young, dynamic candidates, the party hopes to appeal to younger voters and project a progressive image. However, the party’s strategy is not without risks, and it remains to be seen how voters will respond to the party’s new faces. With the elections set to take place on May 10, all eyes will be on Karnataka to see who emerges victorious.