Karnataka assembly polls live updates: 7 BJP MLAs denied tickets, ex union minister quits

The poll process for the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections formally began on Thursday with the issuance of gazette notification paving the way for candidates to file their nomination papers.

According to the Election Commission, the last date of filing nominations is April 20. The papers will be scrutinised on April 21 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is April 24.

Former CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said on Thursday many leaders will join his party tomorrow.

“I will release the second list of candidates tomorrow,” JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy said.

Top Karnataka BJP leader and former Deputy CM Laxman Savadi will resign as party member and from his MLC post tomorrow. He said a few Congress leaders got in touch with him but he will decide later.

Massive protest taking place in the home district of CM Basavaraj Bommai in Haveri by the supporters of Nehru Olekar who has been denied a ticket for the upcoming poll.

Irrespective of political affiliation, Karnataka Brahmin Mahasabha requests Brahmins to vote only for Brahmin candidates and extend support to both BJP and Congress candidates.

In 2016, Srinivas Prasad was dropped as revenue minister by the then CM Siddaramaiah after which he joined BJP, as per reports. Today he announced political retirement and said, “Political life is enough for me. I will not contest in the next Lok Sabha Election”.

Former Mayor and a Lingayat leader Gangambike Mallikarjuna to file nomination as Congress candidate from Chickpet in Bengaluru. He said that there are too many aspirants and the party is yet to declare its official candidate.

BJP MLA from Mudigere constituency M.P. Kumaraswamy on Thursday resigned from the party after his name did not figure in second list of candidates for the May 10 Karnataka polls.

Kumaraswamy was an aspirant from the reserve constituency, but the party decided field Deepak Doddaiah instead.

According to party sources, Kumaraswamy was denied ticket following his failure to perform. Kumaraswamy was in news after he was chased down and beaten up by the people following the death of a woman in an elephant attack. Police had resorted to lathi charge to quell the mob.