Karnataka Lok Sabha elections: Possibility of major changes in BJP

main point:

• BJP plans to make major changes in preparations for the Karnataka Lok Sabha elections.
• These changes include changes in organizational structure, changes in the selection of candidates and changes in election campaign strategy.
• The reason behind these changes is the party’s defeat in Karnataka in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

According to BJP sources, the party is preparing a new plan to strengthen its organization in Karnataka. Under this scheme, the party will focus on increasing the number of its workers in villages and towns and training them. The party is also planning to adopt a new process for selecting its candidates. In this process, senior party leaders and workers will assess the qualifications and popularity of the candidates. The party is also planning to change the strategy of its election campaign. This time the party will focus on using social media and other digital platforms more effectively.

According to sources, many sitting BJP MPs have expressed their desire not to contest the 2024 elections. These include former Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda, four-time MP from Davangere and former Union Minister GM Siddheshwar, six-time MP (three from Bijapur and three from Chikkodi) Ramesh Jigajinagi, Bachche Gowda (Chikkaballapur), GS Basavaraj (Tumkur), V Srinivas. Prasad (Chamarajanagar), and Y Devendrappa (Balar).

Many of these MPs are above 70 years of age. BJP has decided to give way to these MPs to bring young faces forward.

The last assembly elections in Karnataka were won by Congress. BJP wants to make a comeback in the elections this time. BJP is trying to overcome the anti-incumbency wave by fielding new faces.

BJP has allied with Janata Dal (Secular). Under this alliance, BJP is expected to get 20 seats and JDS is expected to get 5 seats. However, there are differences between the two parties regarding seat-sharing.

JDS is claiming Hassan, Bengaluru Rural, Mandya and Tumkur seats. BJP agrees on three of these seats, but not on the Tumkur seat.

There is a possibility of a meeting between the two parties soon to resolve differences regarding seat-sharing.