Karnataka: BJP picks “outsider” Govind Karjol to fight from Chitradurga

In a surprise move, the BJP’s seventh list of candidates has fielded former Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol from Chitradurga, side-stepping both the ticket aspirants from the region – sitting MP and MoS A Narayanaswamy, as well as former MP Janardhana Swamy.

Karjol, a close associate of BS Yediyurappa, was the deputy CM during the latter’s government back in 2019. He had contested the assembly polls last May from Mudhol in Bagalkot, but had lost to Congress’ Ramappa Balappa Timmapur.

The party’s choice of an outsider for the constituency was a completely unexpected move, given the fierce competition between Narayanaswamy and Janardhana Swamy for the ticket. BJP leader Raghu Chandan – the son of Holalkere MLA M Chandrappa – was lobbying for the ticket as well, and a scuffle had broken out among his supporters when it became known that he would miss the ticket. Given the internal strife in the party over candidate selection, party leaders may have their task cut out for them in trying to soothe the ruffled feathers of the aspirants.


The Congress, in the meanwhile, has fielded former MP BN Chandrappa as its candidate in Chitradurga.