Narendra Modi set to appear as BJP's poll panel member

New Delhi, April 4: Gujarat Chief Minister

will make his first appearance as a member of

's Central Election Committee which meets in Delhi on Friday to decide on the party candidates for the May 5

elections.

This will be Modi's first major participation in the party's affairs at the national level as the committee takes a final call on the candidates it plans to field in Karnataka.

He was appointed as member of the BJP Parliamentary Board, its highest decision-making body, and also a member of the party's Central Election Committee by BJP President Rajnath Singh when he announced his new team on March 31.

The BJP which formed its first government in the southern state has been plagued by various difficulties of late. The exit of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa particularly proved to be a bog blow for the party.

Karnataka will go to polls on May 5 to elect its 224-member Assembly and counting of votes will be held on May 8.

The tenure of current Karnataka assembly expires on June 3. While 36 constituencies are reserved for SCs, 15 are reserved for STs in the state.

The poll process in Karnataka will start on April 10 with the issue of notification when candidates can start filing nominations. The last date for nominations is April 17 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is April 20.

There are a total of 4.18 crore voters in Karnataka.

PTI