BANGALORE: Ahead of the forthcoming Karnataka assembly polls, Rajanandini, the daughter of veteran Congress leader and former Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa joined the BJP on Wednesday, April 12. Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was present during Rajanandini's initiation into the BJP.

In the meantime, Laxman Savadi, a former deputy chief minister of Karnataka, resigned from the BJP and the Legislative Council after being passed over for the Athani seat. "I've made up my mind. I don't walk around with a bowl filled with coins. I am an honourable politician. I don't believe anyone is influencing me, "said Savadi.

On the other hand, supporters of sitting Bharatiya Janata Party  MLA from Belagavi North, Anil Benake staged a protest yesterday evening after he was denied a ticket in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.
Also, BJP MLA Mahadevappa Yadawad's supporters demonstrated against the denial of his ticket in Belagavi's Ramdurg constituency. Chikka Revana, who recently joined the BJP, received the constituency's vote.

Former chief minister of Karnataka and six-term BJP legislator Jagadish Shettar has reportedly started acting rebelliously and has been invited to Delhi, according to BJP sources. The initial list of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections omitted Shettar's name. Shettar said that he will meet the party's national president JP Nadda on Wednesday.

Addressing media persons in Bangalore , Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said"The names of 189 candidates have been released. There is agreement in practically every area. A conversation will be had with those who disagree (with the list). I communicate with them on a regular basis. I've spoken with the state vice president, Laxman Savadi, and encouraged him not to make any hurried decisions."

In order to balance caste and community representation and field "strong candidates" against senior Congress leaders, the BJP announced 189 candidates for the Karnataka assembly elections. The BJP has prioritised "social engineering" in addition to fresh faces in its initial selection of candidates, party sources said.

State Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will recontest from the Shiggaon constituency.

Karnataka Elections 2023: BJP adds ticket to 52 new faces

Operation to capture tusker to continue in Karnataka

BJP to release first list of candidates today ahead of K’tka polls