New Delhi, April 20: The BJP on Friday released third list of 59 candidates for the May 12 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, including Karunakar Reddy, one of the Reddy brothers from Harapanahalli.

With this, the BJP has announced 213 candidates. The party had, in its second list of 82 candidates, fielded G. Somashekar Reddy who is the younger brother of Bellary mining baron G. Janardhan Reddy.

The party had released on April 8 its first list of 72 candidates, including three women.

Besides the Reddy brothers, the party has fielded Arun Somanna, the son of senior party leader V. Somanna, from Arsikere constituency and Gopal Karjol, the son of state Vice President Govind Karjol, from Nagthan constituency. 

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Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The VHP on Saturday demanded the immediate withdrawal of a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, accusing the state government of weakening a law that has deterred illegal cattle transport.

The organisation's Go Raksha Wing, Karnataka South, has also announced district-level protests on December 8.

According to officials, the existing law mandates a bank guarantee for securing the release of vehicles seized for alleged illegal cattle transportation.

On December 4, the state Cabinet proposed an amendment enabling the release of such vehicles on an indemnity bond instead.

Addressing reporters in Udupi, VHP leader and Prantha Goraksha Pramukh Sunil K R, said the government's move amounted to "sympathy for cattle lifters" and claimed that it was part of broader actions "targeting Hindus".

He argued that the law in its current form is stringent and has played a crucial role in reducing incidents of illegal cattle transport and theft.

Under the Act, vehicles involved in offences can be surrendered and, upon conviction, permanently seized by authorities. "Diluting these provisions will embolden offenders," Sunil said.

The VHP leader warned that easing the process of vehicle release would not only encourage violators but also result in rising cruelty against cattle.

Sunil further claimed that the strict enforcement of the 2020 law had brought down cases of cattle-related offences significantly. Rolling back these provisions, he said, could reverse those gains and would lead to an increase in illegal transport.

He reiterated that the government must reconsider its decision and preserve the integrity of the existing law.