K'taka Polls: Biggies gone; BJP facing shortage of leaders?

Bangalore, March 28: It seems Bharatiya Janata Party (

) in Karnataka is facing crisis of strong and powerful leaders, as most of its big names have left the party. Moreover, with

just a month away, the ruling BJP is staggering without strong leadership to face people's mandate.

In recent times, several of its "big" names have left the party, and many are likely to quit the party in coming days. Sources say all will join Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP), which is headed by formwe BJP strongman and former chief minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa.

Thus, BJP is finding it hard to select right candidates for several of its constituencies. Most of the winning candidates of Karnataka Assembly Elections 2008 have left the party.

Even after several meetings, the BJP is unable to finalize the names for most assembly segments vacated by former BJP members like Yeddyurappa, Shobha Karandlaje, CM Udasi, MP Renukacharya, BP Harish, Nehru Olekar, M Shivanna, CP Yogeshwar, Narasimha Naik among others.

BJP expelled one of its prominent leader and former excise minister MP Renukacharya for six years for "anti-party activities". BJP announced the decision on Tuesday (March 26) night. Renukacharya is known to be close aide of former BJP strongman and former chief minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa.

The Election Commission on March 20 announced that single phase assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 5. Counting of the votes will be held on May 8. There are 4.18 crore voters in Karnataka and voting will take place at 50446 polling stations.

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