Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (EP)

Bengaluru, March 12: Political parties are struggling to finalise the list of their candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. While Congress has released its first list for the state, BJP is expected to release it in a day or two.

Incumbent Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje has prepared herself to contest again from the constituency. Meanwhile the ‘Go Back Shobha’ campaign against her is also in progress and has reached a crescendo. With the opposition for her candidacy growing within the party ranks, Shobha seems to be feeling the heat of it.

The BJP high command is mulling over the possibility of fielding a surprise candidate. Pramod Madhwaraj is hoping to make the cut and so is C T Ravi who lost in last year's Karnataka Assembly election. It is also said that issuing the party ticket to Kota Srinivas Poojary, member of Legislative Council who is also leader of opposition, seems likely.  

There is also news that the party may give the ticket to Shobha Karandlaje to contest from Bengaluru North constituency and to Kota Srinivas Poojary for Udupi – Chikkamagaluru constituency. However, the picture is expected to become clearer in a day or two.