Karnataka Elections 2023: Congress first list likely to be out after Ugadi

Multiple candidates have started their campaigns in hope of securing the tickets causing confusion among the cadres.

Updated: Saturday, March 18, 2023, 0:00 [IST]

Suspense continues in the Congress on who it will pick as its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, with multiple aspirants are said to be lobbying to get the party ticket.

The CEC meeting chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by Rahul Gandhi, MP, held deliberations on candidates recommended by the party's screening committee chairman Mohan Prakash.

Congress has finalised the first list of candidates for 125 seats. However, it has been reported that the top leaders of the party have decided to release this list only after Ugadi.

The battle for tickets has already intensified in the state unit of the Congress and the leaders are now struggling to keep its flock together in several constituencies.

There is a tough competition among potential candidates between Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah supporters. Candidates from both camps are confident that they would get a ticket which has increased the problems of state leaders.

The Congress has set a target of winning at least 150 seats in the 224-member Assembly, to come to power in Karnataka, with a clear majority. While JD(S) has already announced the first list of 93 candidates for Assembly polls, BJP and Congress are yet to announce their list.

Karnataka will go to polls before May 24.

Here's list of probable Congress candidates

Kolar - Siddaramaiah

Kadur - YSV Dutta

Hoskote - Sarath Bachegowda

Gokak - Ashok Pujari

Hunagunda - Vijayananda Kashappanavar

Muddebihala - CS Nadagowda

Kanakagiri - Shivraj Thangadagi

Raichur - NS Bosraj

Yalaburga - Basavaraj Rayareddy

Karwara - Satish Sail