Gave reasons, says CM Bommai amid protests by those denied tickets

Supporters of several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders protested in Bengaluru on Tuesday as their candidates were denied a ticket in the upcoming assembly election in Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters, state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said,''Already we have spoken to the ones who are being replaced. We have told them the reasons and have also told them about the opportunity they will be getting later.''

The Chief Minister added that BJP is a national party with discipline and it has the ability to face everything responsibly.

''Seniors have built the party and the party has inturn helped them grow. Hence, there's a good relationship and there will be no trouble regarding that,'' he added.

The BJP released its first list of 189 candidates on Tuesday, fielding chief minister Basavaraj Bommai from Shiggaon assembly constituency and V Somanna from Varuna to fight against leader of opposition and Congress stalwart Siddaramaiah.

At least nine legislators including Ministers Angara (Sullia) and Anand Singh (Vijayanagara), have not been given the ticket.

The filing of nominations will begin on April 13, with the poll notification being issued, and the last day for filing papers is April 20.

The BJP, aiming to return to power in Karnataka with absolute majority, has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 seats in the Assembly.