The BJP is yet to announce candidates for 11 constituencies, prominent among them being Badami, Yeshwantpur, BTM Layout and Varuna.
The party has adopted a wait-and-watch policy in Badami. “We have a local candidate, Appanna Shetty. But if Siddaramaiah contests, we will field a heavyweight to take him on,” a senior leader said.
The ticket for Yeshwantpur is being held up as Shobha Karandlaje, MP, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, is a contestant, though she has denied being one, sources said. B.S. Yeddyurappa is reportedly pushing for her to get it. However, since she is a MP, the party high command will take a call over the issue, as giving her a ticket may open up a can of worms with other incumbent MPs also seeking ticket.
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The ticket for Varuna, where Mr. Yeddyurappa's son B.Y. Vijayendra is expected to contest, has also not announced yet. The party is yet to announce its candidate in BTM Layout to take on Ramalinga Reddy.
G. Prasad Reddy, a realtor who was defeated by over 1,800 votes on a BJP ticket against Mr. Ramalinga Reddy in 2008, is said to be leading the race, among other aspirants.
Other constituencies where it is yet to announce candidates are: Ramanagaram, Kanakapura, Bhadravati, Belur, Hassan, Sakaleshpur and Sidlaghatta.
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