BJP may go with sitting MLAs to win sympathy vote in K’taka

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Eager to exploit the ‘sympathy factor’ in Karnataka to the hilt, the BJP is veering around the idea of renominating most of its sitting MLAs in the assembly polls in the state next month.

While projecting denial of power to the BJP and its chief ministerial candidate BS Yediyurappa by the JD(S) as a ‘betrayal’, the party is now hoping that it will be able to portray its sitting MLAs as ‘‘martyrs’’. The BJP had 80 MLAs out of 224 in the last assembly in Karnataka.

The BJP’s approach in Karnataka, however, will be at variance with the strategy in Gujarat, where Narendra Modi was able to ensure handsome gains by replacing over 50 sitting MLAs out of 127 with new faces. In fact, the ‘‘Modi model’’ ,was virtually endorsed as a template by the party leadership to be adopted in party-ruled states.

‘‘It’s true that we were in government in the state, but still the case in Karnataka is different from that of Gujarat. So unlike Gujarat, where Narendra Modi decided to drop about 50 sitting MLAs, all the sitting MLAs would be fielded in Karnataka,’’ a senior party functionary said.

The party has already finalised the names of 120 candidates, whose candidatures are expected to be announced early next week. Confirming this party’s chief ministerial candidate BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday said, ‘‘In consultation with party’s senior leader and poll-in-charge Arun Jaitley, the first list of 120 candidates will be announced on April 7 or 8.’’ Jaitley would be visiting Bangalore on April 5.

Identifying price rise, acts of terrorism in the state, betrayal and fighting image of Yediyurappa as core campaign theme, the party is busy giving final touches to its "election manifesto" in which emphasis is being given on welfare of farmers, poor and women.

The BJP had already promised to give free power supply to farmers' irrigation pump sets if voted to power, besides ensuring credit to all farmers at four per cent interest rate.