Karnataka CM gives latest update on BJP's list of candidates; Details here
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the first list of BJP's candidates for the May 10 Assembly polls, can be expected to be released today.
Party leaders have been holding a series of meetings in New Delhi for the last two days to finalise the list. State BJP strongman and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has indicated that the first list may contain the names of 170-180 candidates.
"The list can be expected today," Bommai told reporters in New Delhi. According to party sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on his return to the national capital from a visit to Arunachal Pradesh is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Chief Minister and other senior leaders to finalise the list, following which it will be released.
Senior BJP leaders, including from Karnataka had held a daylong deliberation on Monday to finalise candidates for the state assembly polls, incorporating in their discussions the suggestions made at the recent BJP Central Election Committee meeting.
Shah, party president J P Nadda, Bommai, Yediyurappa and other leaders from the state attended these meetings. Shah later left for Arunachal Pradesh while other leaders continued the deliberations.
Bommai had on Sunday said after the CEC meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave some directions. The CM told reporters on Monday that the party is working on various inputs. He, however, did not elaborate on the nature of directions or inputs.
There are speculations that the high command is unhappy with some leaders or legislators seeking tickets for their children too; also some sitting legislators and Ministers may not make it to the list. Too many aspirants is also said to be a cause of concern.
The filing of nominations will begin on April 13, with the poll notification being issued, and the last day for filing papers is April 20.
The BJP, aiming to return to power in Karnataka with absolute majority, has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 seats in the Assembly.
While the Congress has already announced a total of 166 candidates, including Karnataka Sarvodaya Party's Darshan Puttannaiah for whom it has extended support in Melukote constituency, in two lists, JD(S) has announced one list of 93 candidates.
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Nine chargesheeted for organising rave party, 79 booked for drug consumption
Bengaluru: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has filed a chargesheet against nine individuals accused of organising a rave party at a farmhouse near Electronics City on May 15. A total of 79 individuals, including Telugu actress Hema alias Krishnaveni, have also been charged with drug consumption under s. 27(b) of the NDPS Act.
The chargesheet, submitted to the court on Monday, is yet to be admitted. The case attracted attention in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, with several Telugu actors allegedly attending the event.
The party, held at GR Forms in Singena Agrahara, was organised by event manager Vasu L to celebrate his birthday and his event management firm's anniversary. Inspector Lakshminarayana, who led the investigation, has submitted an 1,086-page chargesheet that includes Hema's positive test results for MDMA. She was later arrested and granted bail.
Nine people, including Vasu, his friends Ranadhir Babu, Arun Kumar, Nagababu, Mohammed Aboobakar, and Nigerian national Augustine Dada, have been booked for organising the event and supplying drugs. Seized during the raid were MDMA pills, six grams of hydro cannabis, cocaine, 6 kg hydro ganja, and various electronic items.
Police have ruled out any political involvement despite the discovery of an MLA sticker on an SUV, which was traced back to one of the accused, Arun. The chargesheet includes statements from 82 witnesses.
