K146;taka elections: BJP fields 80 new faces

8220;There will be a possible understanding with the JDU based on ground realities. A decision will be taken in a couple of days,8221; said party general secretary Ananth Kumar. In the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, BJP had 79 MLAs while the JDU had five legislators.

Party8217;s chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa will contest from his pocket borough Shikaripura. Basavaraj, son of former chief minister SR Bommai, has been given a ticket. Other JDS deserters like Bacchegowda, GT Devegowda, too, have been fielded.

The names were cleared at a meeting of the BJP8217;s Central Election Committee, headed by party president Rajnath Singh.

BJP general secretary, incharge of elections in Karnataka, Arun Jaitley, who conceptualised successful campaigns in Gujarat and Punjab earlier, and state unit chief Sadanand Gowda also briefed the meeting.