BJP dissects reasons for defeat in 117 constituencies

A meeting of the defeated candidates of the BJP held in Bengaluru on Thursday is said to have come to the conclusion that had there been better a coordination between state and district units, then the party would have secured the required numbers to form the government.

The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party in the May 12 Assembly elections by securing 104 seats, fell seven short to form the government.

At the meeting, chaired by the BJP state unit president B S Yeddyurappa, it was also felt that the party should strive more to make inroads into districts like Hassan, Ramanagaram, Mandya and Chamarajnagar, where it lacks a presence at the grassroots.

However, a lack of proper connection between the various district units with the state unit was discussed extensively, sources said. Many candidates lost by a narrow margin.

A few defeated legislators felt that some state leaders showed a lack of enthusiasm while campaigning beyond their constituencies. However, the meeting felt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies just ahead of the polls had a significant impact on the electorate.

A constituency-wise analysis was also held to ascertain the defeat of party candidates, the sources added.