Karnataka polls: BJP to announce 170 to 180 candidates in first list

The first list of the BJP candidates for the May 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka will be out either on Tuesday or Wednesday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

"Most probably the first list will be released tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Bommai told reporters in Delhi. He also claimed that there is no confusion regarding finalising the list.

The Chief Minister stated the first list was supposed to be out on Monday evening but since there was more discussions to happen, it could be released on Tuesday or Wednesday. "For some candidates more ground report has to be gathered, more information has to be collected and discussion on the new candidates has to take place," the Chief Minister added.

Earlier in the day, former Chief Minister and BJP Parliamentary Board member BS Yediyurappa said the first list of about 170 to 180 candidates for elections to the 224-member Assembly would be released by this evening.

However, later in the afternoon, Yediyurappa said: "Yesterday there were discussions about all the constituencies. Today again our national president JP Nadda had called me for a few more clarifications. I have explained them. He may clear it (list) this evening or tomorrow".

The Karnataka BJP strongman denied that there was any delay in releasing the list saying that discussions had taken place and it will be finalised. When asked whether he was unhappy as he was not present in the meeting in the morning convened by Nadda, Yediyurappa denied it and said, "Whatever suggestions I had given they (BJP leadership) have agreed. We are going to get absolute majority and we are going to form the government. There is no doubt about it."

However, the Congress, on the other hand, has so far announced candidates for 166 of the total 224 seats, and is yet to finalise the list for the remaining 58 seats. Whereas JDS has announced the first list of 93 candidates.