In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP registered its best performance ever in Karnataka by winning 25 out of 28 seats.
BJP high command is likely to deny tickets to at least ten sitting MPs in Karnataka. (supplied)
In a significant development leading up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP appears to be gearing up for a major reshuffle in Karnataka, with indications that at least eight to 10 sitting MPs might miss out on tickets.
The party, armed with an internal survey and taking age into account, is reportedly leaning towards fielding new, younger faces in key constituencies such as Tumakuru, Haveri-Gadag, Bagalkot, Davanagere, Vijayapura, Belagavi, Koppal, Raichur, Ballari, and Uttara Kannada.
Amidst this anticipation of change, the recent announcement by senior BJP leader Sadananda Gowda regarding his retirement from electoral politics is being perceived as just the beginning.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP registered its best performance ever in Karnataka by winning 25 out of 28 seats.
Aiming to repeat the results in the 2024 general elections, the party is likely to replace some senior parliamentarians with young faces.
Davanagere MP GM Siddeshwar and Haveri-Gadag MP Shivakumar Udasi have already announced that they will not contest in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Inside the Karnataka unit of the BJP is a restless atmosphere, with recent internal reports hinting that several sitting MPs might be denied tickets in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Tumakuru MP GS Basavaraj (82), Davanagere MP GM Siddeshwara (71), Uttara Kannada MP Ananthkumar Hegde (55), Haveri MP Shivakumar Udasi (56), Ballari MP Y Devendrappa (72), Koppal MP Karadi Sanganna (73), Raichur MP Raja Amareshwar Naik (66), Bijapur MP Ramesh Jigajinagi (71), Bagalkot MP PC Gaddigoudar (72), and Belagavi MP Mangala Angadi (60) are likely to miss tickets, claimed sources in the party to South First.
Of the aforementioned BJP MPs, Davanagere’s Siddeshwar has already announced that he will not be contesting next year’s Lok Sabha elections. However, he is demanding a ticket for his son GS Anith Kumar from the same seat. Meanwhile, Koppal MP Sanganna might demand a ticket for his son Amaresh Karadi.
Then there are Haveri-Gadag MP Udasi and Bagalkot MP Gaddigoudar, who have also made it clear to the party high command that they would not be contesting in the polls next year.
On condition of anonymity, a senior leader from North Karnataka told South First: “Based on the internal survey and age factor, eight to 10 sitting MPs are likely to miss out the ticket. The party is preferring to field new faces, mainly aged between 40 and 50 years, in the forthcoming LS elections.”
He added: “The party is already carrying out a survey in Karnataka for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP knows very well whom to promote in which seat. It is taking everyone into confidence while making major decisions regarding the general elections.”
The leader also said: “The party is already in talks with several senior leaders on their future in electoral politics. We will not be able to predict who will be announcing their retirement in the following days, but there will be some unexpected developments in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.”
Though the BJP has not yet kickstarted the preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the probable candidates have already begun laying the groundwork in their respective constituencies in Karnataka.
BJP Parliamentary Board member and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s statement on Sadananda Gowda’s retirement from electoral politics has hinted that some of the senior leaders — especially MPs — are likely to take a similar route in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
Dr Babu Rajendra Naik is likely to replace six-time MP and former Union minister Ramesh Jigajinagi from the Vijayapura Lok Sabha seat (SC).
Former IAS officer Shivayogi Kalasad of the Karnataka cadre is likely to replace four-time MP PC Gaddigoudar from the Bagalkot Lok Sabha seat.
Anil Menasinakai, who was the party’s nominee from the Gadag seat in May’s Assembly elections, is likely to be the face of the BJP from the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha seat instead of sitting MP Shivakumar Udasi.
Former minister and ST leader B Sriramulu is likely to replace incumbent MP Y Devendrappa from the Ballari Lok Sabha constituency (ST).
Though MP Siddeshwar is demanding a ticket for his son GM Anith from Davanagere, senior BJP leader and former Honnali MLA MP Renukacharya is also looking for a nod from there.
On condition of anonymity, a party leader told South First: “It is cent percent sure that the party will change the candidates in at least eight Lok Sabha segments, excluding the Bengaluru North segment. The party high command is already deliberating on the candidates’ selections.”
The BJP leader added: “The candidate selection process is likely to speed up after the completion of the upcoming Assembly elections in five states. The party is now busy carrying out surveys about sitting MPs’ performance. The party will take further decisions based on the report.”
He continued: “The high command has already directed the probable candidates to begin their preparations at the grassroots. The party is likely to opt for candidates from the same caste that the sitting MP belongs to in most segments.”
He also said: “The talks are already underway to replace Gaddigoudar with former bureaucrat Shivayogi Kalasad; both belong to the same caste. Apart from the age factor, caste will play a key role in the finalisation of candidates.”
Refuting these developments, Vijayapura MP Jigajinagi told South First: “It is true that the high command has held talks with me on the Lok Sabha elections. The talks were not about replacing me but assuring me of a ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.”
He added: “I would not like to comment on other constituencies or the fate of BJP MPs in Karnataka. I will abide by the decision of the high command. They have assured me of a ticket. If they say I will not be a candidate, I won’t rebel, and instead support the new face. I am a loyal party worker.”
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