BJP finds it tough to finalise Bidar candidates

Bidar, Karnataka, Apr 6 (UNI) The BJP has been finding it tough to decide on party candidates in this district for the coming Assembly elections in Karnataka with a number of prominent leaders applying for tickets.

According to the party sources, BJP leader Prakash Khandre was likely to contest from the Bhalki constituency, a party stronghold.

The elimination of Hulsoor constituency in the delimitation process was a setback to the BJP, since it was a stronghold of the party. Rajendra Verma had won twice from there on party ticket, the sources added.

Many prominent BJP leaders were in the race to contest from Bidar Urban constituency, created after the elimination of Hulsoor.

The High Command was considering former MLA Ramesh Kumar Pandy, who won the seat in 1999, Shakuntala Beladale, Basavaraj Ashtur, Chandrakanth Patil Gadag, Revansiddappa, Jalade and Gundappa Biradear as possible candidates for the constituency.

The BJP would field Gudappa Biradar in Bidar Urban if the Congress fielded former minister Gurupadappa Namarpalli.

The party was contemplating to give its ticket to Maratha leader Vasantha Rao Nagdy in Basavakalyan, a newly-formed constituency where the Marathis were pre dominant.

The party was also considering the names of the other Maratha leaders Shanthappa G Patil, Sunil Patil and Rajkumar Sirgapure for Basavakalyan, the sources added.

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