Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023

Speaking to reporters at the Mysuru airport, Bommai said that a few leaders may have deserted the party but as the BJP is not an individual-based party like others, the defection of some leaders will not have any impact. "The Congress did not have candidates for around 60 constituencies, so it announced nominees for just 150 constituencies and kept quiet without releasing the list for all the 224 seats.

Addressing a public rally at Humnabad in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi stated that the RSS and the BJP are attacking democracy in the whole country. Basavanna thought of equal participation, equal representation and collective growth. These thoughts are being attacked by the BJP and the RSS. They are spreading hatred and violence in the country. The BJP's ideology is different from Basavanna's. Whatever Basavanna said, the RSS and the BJP are against it, he alleged.

However, senior leader S.A. Ramdas, miffed with the denial of ticket from Krishnaraja constituency in Mysuru city, stated that he will announce his decision on future course of action on Tuesday. The BJP has announced candidates for 10 constituencies, thus finalising 222 candidates of the total 224. The party is yet to announce.

"The Congress did not have candidates for around 60 constituencies, so it announced nominees for just 150 constituencies and kept quiet without releasing the list for all the 224 seats. It is of no use to get leaders to defect from the strongholds of the BJP and give them Congress tickets," Bommai said.

Addressing the media at the Congress headquarters in Bengaluru after joining the grand-old party, Shettar stated that on the lines of senior leaders B.S. Yediyurappa and the late Ananth Kumar, he had built the party in north Karnataka. "I have strengthened the party. The BJP party has given me all positions and respect. In return as a loyal worker, I have built the party," he said.

The AIADMK's decision to support the BJP in Karnataka comes at a time when the BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai had engaged in confrontation with the party. However, sources in AIADMK told IANS that the BJP national leadership has requested the party to extend its support in the Karnataka elections.

Speaking to reporters here on his next move, Shettar claimed that all options were open for him now. "I am discussing with my well-wishers on which decision is suitable for me. Though Congress leaders have not contacted him yet, he will discuss with his close circles about joining the Congress."

The Supreme Court has recently observed that the ruling BJP government's decision to withdraw four per cent reservation under the OBC category for Muslims appears to be "based on fallacious assumptions" and "was on a shaky foundation". The reservation quota has been increased for the influential Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities by two per cent each. The Muslim community has been brought under the 10 per cent reservation provided for the economically weaker sections (EWS).

Siddaramaiah was planning to retain Kolar and resign from Varuna constituency. He had planned to get his son Yathindra Siddaramaiah elected in the by-polls. However, with BJP fielding a formidable candidate in Varuna constituency in the form of senior leader V. Somanna and Congress denying him ticket from Kolar, sources explain that Siddaramaiah is pushed to tight spot.

In the party's third list, Laxman Savadi's name appeared on the top. Interestingly, the party has not announced the ticket for Hubballi-Dharwad Central constituency for which former chief minister and senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar has locked horns with the saffron party. Sources explain that the Congress leaders have already approached and assured Shettar of ticket and position if he joins Congress.