Bengaluru, 13 March

Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra on Friday said the party’s Karnataka core committee has discussed the selection of candidates for the upcoming by-elections to the Bagalkot and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Vijayendra said the aspirations of leaders seeking the party ticket in both constituencies were discussed in detail and the names considered would be forwarded to the party’s central leadership for a final decision.

The meeting was attended by BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Leaders of the Opposition in the Assembly and the Legislative Council, and other senior party leaders.

Vijayendra said the party had resolved to work collectively to ensure victory in the bypolls and also in the forthcoming Legislative Council elections.

He said a separate meeting was held with aspirants from the Davanagere South constituency in the presence of senior leaders, including Joshi and MP Govind Karjol, where leaders were urged to set aside past differences and work together.

Referring to reports of dissatisfaction over ticket allocation, Vijayendra said the issue had been discussed internally and leaders had been asked to forget past differences and focus on ensuring the party’s victory in the by-elections.