'Need for change' was Modi’s message before K'taka BJP list finalised

There has been a lot of buzz after the BJP released its list for the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Protests have erupted in several parts of the state after sitting MLAs were denied tickets to contest the elections. The experts tell OneIndia that the list was bound to change drastically as the BJP is fighting anti-incumbency. The fact that no party has been re-elected to power twice also would have played in the mind of the party before preparing the final list.

A source said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi who gave his final approval to the list had maintained that there needs to be change, as fresh energy was needed. This also explains why there are over 50 new faces in the BJP's list of candidates, the source also added.

Further the PM made it clear to the state leadership that there should be no hesitating when it comes to experimenting in Karnataka. This is part of the election strategy and also the fact that the party needs to grow across the state and not remain dominant in one particular region, the source cited above also said.

At a meeting with the BJP leaders from Karnataka, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah said that if the party is not going to do this now, then youngsters will never be groomed.

"We have to strengthen our party base and spread its wings everywhere by capitalising on the popularity of PM Modi. The leaders from Karnataka too should accept this change. We have to groom hardworking people as our future leaders. This is the best time to do such an experiment. It was done in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. We are doing it in Karnataka as well and we will surely succeed," Shah said at the meeting.

The BJP's list saw drastic changes in the coastal Karnataka region and Malnad. This was done largely to beat anti-incumbency. The party also fielded new faces in areas, it normally does not win. The focus is heavily on the Old-Mysuru Region, where the party has not won big in the past as a result of which, the BJP has fallen short of the majority mark despite being the single largest party thrice.

The BJP was also aware that dropping several names would result in a rebellion. Shah has instructed the top brass in Karnataka to speak with these leaders and make sure that they do not quit the party.