New Delhi (India), April 21, 2023: With the assembly polls in Karnataka fast approaching, the electioneering has picked up the pace. The scrutiny of nomination papers, which were completed yesterday, is currently underway. In the run-up to the polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has introduced several new faces while dropping several senior leaders from the candidate list.
One of the notable omissions is sitting MLA and senior BJP leader K. S. Eshwarappa, who has been denied a ticket this time. Despite the snub, Eshwarappa supported the party’s decision, even after the BJP chose not to field his son for the seat.
In a video call on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Eshwarappa, who assured him that he would do everything in his power to ensure the party’s victory in the state. Channabasappa, the BJP’s candidate from Shivamogga, filed his nomination papers in the presence of K. S. Eshwarappa.
Speaking about his ticket denial, Eshwarappa stated that he harbored no anger towards the BJP and that it was crucial to bring back those who left the party to join the Congress. He also announced his retirement from electoral politics.
The BJP has released its carefully crafted candidate list, which saw several sitting MLAs and MLCs denied tickets. The party has fielded many doctors, IPS and IAS officers, post-graduates, advocates, academicians, retired government employees, and social workers. The BJP is contesting all 224 seats in the Karnataka assembly.
A total of 3,632 candidates filed their nominations for the upcoming assembly polls in Karnataka. Since many candidates have filed multiple nominations to avoid rejection, the state election commission will scrutinize the documents today. The last day for the withdrawal of candidature is April 24. Voting for the single-phase election in the state is scheduled for May 10, and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.
