Dharwad: Licking its wounds sustained during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the state, when the Congress-JD(S) alliance was in power, the grand-old-party which is the ruling party now is under pressure to increase its tally in the forthcoming general elections.
Maharashtra and Karnataka have been the safe haven for the BJP as far as Lok Sabha elections are concerned and the saffron party, which lost power in the recent assembly elections, is under pressure to retain its seats.
While the possibility of BJP replacing some sitting MPs with new faces has kindled the hopes of many young aspirants in the saffron party, it has also emboldened the Congress aspirants who were earlier reluctant to face the old horses. They are hoping to upset BJP’s applecart, banking on the guarantees offered by the Siddaramaiah government.
Highly placed sources in BJP said the party may replace its sitting MPs in Vijayapura (SC reserved), Bagalkot, Haveri, Uttar Kannada and Belagavi. In Belagavi, Mrunal Hebbalkar and former MP Amar Singh Patil, are the main contenders, but some leaders are pitching for minister Satish Jarkiholi as the candidate. Rejecting the proposal straight away, Satish has recommended his daughter Priyanka’s name.
Congress wants to field a candidate from Kuruba community and Amar Singh Patil stands a bright chance. He has the blessings of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. In Bagalkot, Ajaykumar Saranaik who contested four times without success wants a last chance to be given. Prakash Tapashetti, Veena Kashappanavar, Rakshita Eeti, Shivakumar Malaghan, Basavaprabhu Sarnadgouda, Shrishail Dalawai and Vivek Yavagal, son of former minister BR Yavagal have staked their claim.
In Dharwad, the Congress is in search of a new Lingayat face to take on four-time MP and Union minister Pralhad Joshi. Nearly 15 aspirants, including Rajat Ullagaddimath, Anilkumar Patil and Sadanand Danganavar have submitted their applications.
In Haveri, there is a demand to field Muslim candidate from the constituency. The party has yet to shortlist the names. Meanwhile, the name of law minister HK Patil and former Shirahatti MLA GS Gaddadevarmath is doing rounds.
The situation in Uttara Kannada is no different. The grand old party is facing the task of finding a suitable candidate. Former minister RV Deshpande or his son Prasad are being considered, the sources said.
Kantha Lamani, Keerti Om Prakash, daughter of former director general of police Om Prakash, Yadahalli, former executive engineer of PWD and DCC president Raju Alagur also have staked their claim.
Maharashtra and Karnataka have been the safe haven for the BJP as far as Lok Sabha elections are concerned and the saffron party, which lost power in the recent assembly elections, is under pressure to retain its seats.
While the possibility of BJP replacing some sitting MPs with new faces has kindled the hopes of many young aspirants in the saffron party, it has also emboldened the Congress aspirants who were earlier reluctant to face the old horses. They are hoping to upset BJP’s applecart, banking on the guarantees offered by the Siddaramaiah government.
Highly placed sources in BJP said the party may replace its sitting MPs in Vijayapura (SC reserved), Bagalkot, Haveri, Uttar Kannada and Belagavi. In Belagavi, Mrunal Hebbalkar and former MP Amar Singh Patil, are the main contenders, but some leaders are pitching for minister Satish Jarkiholi as the candidate. Rejecting the proposal straight away, Satish has recommended his daughter Priyanka’s name.
Congress wants to field a candidate from Kuruba community and Amar Singh Patil stands a bright chance. He has the blessings of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. In Bagalkot, Ajaykumar Saranaik who contested four times without success wants a last chance to be given. Prakash Tapashetti, Veena Kashappanavar, Rakshita Eeti, Shivakumar Malaghan, Basavaprabhu Sarnadgouda, Shrishail Dalawai and Vivek Yavagal, son of former minister BR Yavagal have staked their claim.
In Dharwad, the Congress is in search of a new Lingayat face to take on four-time MP and Union minister Pralhad Joshi. Nearly 15 aspirants, including Rajat Ullagaddimath, Anilkumar Patil and Sadanand Danganavar have submitted their applications.
In Haveri, there is a demand to field Muslim candidate from the constituency. The party has yet to shortlist the names. Meanwhile, the name of law minister HK Patil and former Shirahatti MLA GS Gaddadevarmath is doing rounds.
The situation in Uttara Kannada is no different. The grand old party is facing the task of finding a suitable candidate. Former minister RV Deshpande or his son Prasad are being considered, the sources said.
Kantha Lamani, Keerti Om Prakash, daughter of former director general of police Om Prakash, Yadahalli, former executive engineer of PWD and DCC president Raju Alagur also have staked their claim.