BJP on April 11 declared the first list of candidates for Karnataka assembly polls, declaring names on 189 seats. The candidates were announced at a press conference addressed by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and party general secretary Arun Singh.

While addressing the conference, Arun Singh informed that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will recontest from the Shiggaon constituency. He also said that 32 candidates belong to the OBC community while the list has 30 candidates from the Scheduled Caste community and 16 Scheduled Tribe community.

“52 out of 189 are fresh candidates. 32 candidates belong to the OBC community while the list has 30 candidates from the Scheduled Caste community and 16 Scheduled Tribe community. CM Basavaraj Bommai to contest from Shiggaon constituency. BY Vijayendra, son of former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, to contest from the Shikaripura seat. State Health Minister Dr Sudhakar K to contest from Chikkaballapur seat. State Minister Dr Ashwathnarayan CN to contest from Malleshwaram seat. State Minister R Ashoka to contest from 2 seats- Padmanabhanagar and Kanakapura against DK Shivakumar. State Minister B Sriramulu to contest from Bellary Rural seat. CT Ravi, BJP National General Secretary, to contest from Chikmagalur seat. V Somanna to contest against Congress leader Siddaramaiah from Varuna seat. V Somanna will also contest from Chamarajanagar seat,” said BJP’s National General Secretary, Arun Singh.

Congress has already declared 166 candidates in two lists. The polling will take place for 224 assembly seats on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.