Karnataka polls: BJP to release first list of candidates on 5 April

Bellary: Rejecting speculations that the ruling BJP’s state election panel was bogged down by differences in finalising candidates for the 5 May Karnataka Assembly polls, Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa today said the first list would be released on 5 April. Eshwarappa, a party senior leader, said a list of 170 names had been prepared and it would be sent to the central election committee which would release it in two installments.[caption id=“attachment_681605” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Poll ready. Reuters[/caption] BJP leaders have been engaged in the exercise of preparing the candidates’ list but different pulls and pressures plus uncertainty about the move of fence-sitters have made it more complicated, leading to speculations about differences. The Congress and JDS are also in no better position as they are also yet to come out with their lists. Speaking to reporters here, Eshwarappa said a BJP workers meeting would be held in Bangalore on 8 April, which would be attended by party veteran LK Advani and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, besides others. To a query, he said the problems being faced by former BJP strongman BS Yeddyurappa were his own making and they had not cropped up because of “any conspiracy” by party leaders. PTI