Karnataka Election 2023: Will BJP's decision to introduce fresh faces once again work for saffron party?

In the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, seven of the eight constituencies with new faces become a BJP's stronghold. For Congress, it won only one constituency. In the upcoming Assembly polls, the BJP has fielded as many as three new faces of the eight constituencies.

Congress has also fielded new faces in five constituencies. Another candidate who is likely win after promoting Hindutva in Puttur has also attracted people's attention in the state.

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Let's take a look at those eight Assembly constituencies and the new candidates from the top political parties.

Belthangadi:

Belthangadi BJP MLA Harish Poonja is also called as a 'hard working' MLA after winning the first term. The BJP MLA is now trying his luck for the second time. His main opponent is Rakshit Shivaram of Congress. Former MLA Vasant Bangera was the Congress opponent of Harish Poonja in the last contest.

This time the situation has changed and Congress has brought a fresh face into the fray. Rakshit Sivaram is the son of a former police officer and a relative of Vidhan Parishad member BK Hariprasad. Although there are other parties here, these two are the main opponents.

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Moodbidire:

Incumbent MLA Umanatha Kotyan is contesting for the fourth time in Mulki-Moodubidere constituency. In the previous election, he has the distinction of winning with a record margin of votes. However, this time Congress has fielded a young candidate to curb his winning streak.

Kotyan and Billava are keeping an eye on the votes. Mithun Rai's fiery campaign is catching the attention of voters. Here is a fight between the two of them.

Mangalore North:

Mangalore North Constituency, which is known as the seat of many industries, is in BJP's hands. Congress has given a ticket to a tall and heavy businessman to win this constituency. Congress businessman Inayat Ali is the opponent of incumbent MLA candidate Dr. Bharat Shetty.

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Dr. Bharat Shetty has jumped into the campaign by promoting development and Hindutva. There was a fierce competition between former MLA Moidin Bawa and businessman Inayat Ali for the ticket in Congress and finally Inayat Ali won the ticket. Moidin Bawa later jumped to JD(S) at the last moment and got ticket.

Mangalore South:

In this constituency, same candidates as the last time are facing each other. Incumbent BJP MLA Veda Vyasa Kamat is seeking election for a second term, while former Congress MLA JR Lobo has entered the fray for the third time.

Kudroli Constituency Committee Treasurer Padmaraj tried to contest from Congress here. JR Lobo won the ticket for the third time in this predominantly Christian constituency.

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Mangalore:

Mangaluru (Ullala), sitting MLA UT Khader of Congress won the constituency with a hat-trick. After the death of father UT Farid, son UT Khader became an MLA. Representing the constituency in the last three terms. No matter who contested from BJP in the last four terms, the victory was Khader's.

This time, the BJP has fielded former GP Vice President Satish Kumpala, who has become a moderate leader. Except for the history of BJP winning this constituency only once, the rest is dominated by Congress. Here SDPI is also going to put a foothold on the Congress victory.

Bantwala:

Sitting MLA Rajesh Naik from the BJP is trying his luck for the second time. Former minister Ramanath Rai has again entered the fray from the Congress. This is the ninth competition for Ramanath Rai. The Congress leader, who lost only twice before, is campaigning as if this is the last contest. Billavas and Muslims are prominent voters here.

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Puttur:

This Assembly constituency is the stronghold of BJP and there is a rebellion for BJP. Newcomers have been fielded here from BJP and Congress. BJP has not given ticket to sitting MLA Sanjiva Mathandur here. Instead of GP Former president, Asha Thimmappa of Sulya constituency has been fielded.

Congress has also not given ticket to former MLA Shakuntala Shetty this time. Instead, the BJP gave a ticket to Ashok Kumar Rai, a businessman who jumped to the Congress on the assurance that he would not get a ticket. On the other hand, Hindu organization leader Arun Kumar Puttila banded and contested as a non-party due to not getting BJP ticket.

Sulya:

New faces in BJP and Congress are going to fight in Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved constituency. Sitting MLA Angara was aspiring to contest for the eighth time. But GP BJP has given ticket to former member Bhagirathi Murulya. This was effective until Angara announced his political retirement. Finally the party leaders pacified Angara and made him active again.

Congress has also fielded G Krishnappa as a new candidate. Another aspirant, Nandakumar, was upset that Krishnappa was given a ticket and took a neutral attitude. Here there will be direct competition between BJP and Congress.