JOIN USDeputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa said the party is likely to announce the list of candidates for all the 224 Assembly constituencies by first week of April.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday, he said that for almost 120 constituencies, the district committees have proposed only one name, but in other constituencies, more than two names have been proposed. “We would hold final meeting in Bangalore on March 31 to decide on candidates. The State committee would send this list to the central leadership after finalising the 224 candidates.”
Referring to the issue of tickets to tainted legislators and ministers, he said it is not possible to deny tickets to those who are facing criminal charges as it did not mean they are culprits. However, the party has decided not to issue tickets to those who are convicted on criminal charges, he clarified.
He accused the Congress leaders of lodging false cases against BJP leaders. “I would not make any comment on corruption charges, CBI inquiry or anything against KJP President B S Yeddyurappa. Several Congress leaders including S M Krishna, D K Shivakumar, Veerappa Moily are facing corruption charges. But, they are throwing stones at others sitting in a glass house,” he added.
He said BJP central leaders Arun Jaitley, L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Modi and others would campaign in the State. The election campaigning schedule would be prepared shortly. The party would not face the coming elections on the basis of caste or religion unlike other political parties. It is relying on its manifesto, workers and development works taken up during its government’s tenure. The BJP would definitely win in the election and form the next government.