Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 3: Reliable sources have said that the state BJP, which has been undertaking measures for facing next year's Lok Sabha election, has almost finalised 17 candidates out of 28 constituencies in Karnataka. The top leaders have also been carrying on behind-the-scene parleys to finalize the name s of remaining 11 candidates.

State BJP president, Yeddyurappa, who initiated Swachhata Abhiyan here on October 2, said that the process of selecting candidates for 17 Lok Sabha constituencies is currently on. Sources claim that Yeddyurappa, who recently sent list of probable candidates, replacement candidates, aspirants etc to the national leaders, gave them names of candidates for 17 constituencies where their names have almost been finalised. The list is likely to be scrutinized in the light of expansion of the coalition ministry in the state shortly, other political developments etc.

The BJP has been compelled to change its strategies as the coalition partners, Congress and JD(S), have agreed to field candidates by entering into an alliance on seat sharing. Yeddyurappa is said to have dispatched a confidential report on this development to the central leadership. BJP national president, Amit Shah, who is well known for drawing up winning strategies, had collected information about the party's prospects in Lok Sabha constituencies represented by the party candidates, functioning style of the MPs, and other things. He also had put together details about constituencies represented by other parties, their likely candidates, winning prospects etc.

Amit Shah is learnt to have formulated yardsticks about the candidates the party would like to prefer like those having closeness with the Sangh Parivar, mingling with party workers, popularity, clean image, organizational skill etc. The state BJP kept these things in mind before making the list, sources added.