Top BJP Leaders To Meet Tomorrow To Finalise Candidates For Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said the BJP's State Election Committee has shortlisted three names per constituency for the May 10 Assembly polls, and the party's Parliamentary Board will meet in New Delhi on April 8 to discuss and finalise the list of candidates.

The Chief Minister is leaving for New Delhi this evening.

"Tomorrow our Parliamentary Board meeting will take place there (in Delhi). After discussions tomorrow (on candidates) the Parliamentary Board will finalise," Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Opinions have been gathered from constituency and district level, after which the State Election Committee has shortlisted three names (per constituency).. it will be discussed and finalised by the Parliamentary Board in Delhi." Ticket aspirants are waiting for the BJP to announce the list of candidates, with election date approaching.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, BJP Parliamentary Board member and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who will also be attending the meeting in Delhi said, the list of candidates will be announced probably in two to three days.

"Naturally (there is pressure), as there are three to five aspirants in certain constituencies. We have shortlisted two-three names per constituency and sent it to centre. Based on the discussion with the central leaders about winnability and other things, candidates will be finalised," he said in response to a question.

Election notification will be issued on April 13, while the last date for filing nominations is April 20.

The Congress has announced candidates for 166 out of total 224 seats, while JD(S) has announced one list of 93 candidates.

The BJP, which aims to return to power with absolute majority, has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 seats.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)