BJP fields another Reddy brother in Karnataka in its third candidates list

The BJP announced 59 new names and a change of candidate in Kolar Gold Field, a reserved seat for the Schedule Caste, in its third list of candidates.

The BJP has fielded Karunakar Reddy, one of the Reddy brothers – tainted mining barons – from Harapanahalli as it released its third list of 59 candidates on Friday for the Karnataka assembly elections.

BJP national president Amit Shah (right) and party state president BS Yeddyurappa during a meeting in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Shah was in Karnataka on a two-day election campaign tour. (PTI)

The party had in its second list fielded another of three Reddy brothers, Somashekhara Reddy, from Ballari.

Reddy brothers have been accused in the past of illegal mining.

Their political influence within the BJP seemed to have waned after the alleged scam erupted but it appears that they have made a comeback with the party rewarding them and their associates with tickets in a region they wield considerable influence.

With announcement of 59 more candidates, the BJP has declared its nominees for 213 seats for the elections to the 224-member state assembly.

It has fielded Gopal Rao from Chamundeshwari, from where chief minister Siddaramaiah is contesting on a Congress ticket.

The BJP also changed its candidate from Kolar Gold Field seat reserved for scheduled caste candidates. S Ashwini will now be its nominee from the seat, the party said.

BY Vijayendra, son of its chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa, is seen as the likely BJP candidate from there.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)