Lok Sabha Polls: BJP to field Shobha from Bengaluru North? Suprise candidate for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru?

Udupi: As the Lok Sabha elections approach, political parties are busy with the task of finalizing their candidates. While the Congress has already unveiled its first list of candidates for the state, the BJP is poised to reveal its roster on Wednesday or Thursday, sources say.

The Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency has been drawing a lot of interest, particularly relating to BJP’s probable contenders.  Shobha Karandlaje, the incumbent Member of Parliament, is seeking another chance to contest on the BJP ticket, having secured victory in the previous two terms from here. However, she faces significant opposition, notably marked by the ‘Go Back Shobha’ campaign, which has garnered attention at the state level.

Adding to the intrigue is Pramod Madhwaraj, who switched allegiance from the Congress to the BJP, eagerly eyeing a spot on the ticket.  Furthermore, C T Ravi, who suffered defeat in the Chikkamagaluru assembly elections, is reportedly exploring the possibility of contesting the Lok Sabha elections in from this constituency.

Amidst this backdrop, speculation is rife regarding potential surprise contenders. According to recent reports, the BJP leadership may deviate from conventional choices and nominate Vidhan Parishad member Kota Srinivas Poojary from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru. Discussions in a high-level meeting held on Monday hinted at Poojary emerging as a frontrunner for the ticket, sources said.

The latest developments suggest a potential reshuffle in candidate assignments. Shobha Karandlaje’s name is rumoured to be considered for the Bengaluru North constituency, while Kota Srinivas Poojary may emerge as the face of the BJP in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, reports said.

Poojary’s emergence as a probable candidate is perceived as a strategic move to represent the Billava community, a significant demographic along the coast, and to provide local representation in Udupi.