BJP ousts three MPs in Karnataka

BANGALORE: Two former chief ministers – BS Yeddyurappa and DV Sadananda Gowda — and former Union Minister Ananth Kumar figure in the first list of 20 candidates the BJP released for Karnataka on Saturday.

Lingayats dominate the first list with seven candidates followed by three each Vokkaligas and Brahmins and two backward community members. The BJP is yet to finalise the list for eight constituencies.

The party has dropped three sitting MPs from the list — DB Chandre Gowda (Bangalore North), Shivarama Gouda (Koppal) and S Pakkirappa (Raichur). Their tickets will now go to Sadananda Gowda for Bangalore North, former MLA Sanganna Karadi for Koppal and Shivanagouda Nayak for Raichur.

In Shimoga too, there is a change, but that is an arrangement within Yeddyurappa’s family. Son and sitting MP BY Raghavendra will make way for the father in this seat.

Talking about the changes in three constituencies, Sadananda Gowda said the party had gone by the names suggested by its district units and endorsed the opinion of partymen. On fewer representation for Vokkaligas, he said the community will get due prominence in the second list.