Bengaluru, 12 March

BJP's list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections may have a few surprises with some incumbent MPs being replaced, senior party leader R Ashoka indicated on Tuesday.

Asked about reports on sitting MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel from Dakshina Kannada, Anantkumar Hegde from Uttara Kannada and Pratap Simha from Mysuru may not get re-nomination, Ashoka said, "Sitting MPs must have hope and work, the decision of the high command is final. No one should lose hope, there are chances till the last minute."

He said the central leadership has taken on board the opinion of the State leaders about the candidates during the Central Election Committee meeting on Monday night and would decide on the nominees and make an announcement soon.

It was probably the last such meeting to discuss potential candidates from State, he said, adding, that nominees for almost all the seats have been finalised. It is now for the central leadership to take the final call and make the announcement in one or two lists.

BJP swept the 2019 elections in the State bagging 25 out of 28 seats.

On reports that a few sitting MPs may not fielded to make way for new faces, he said candidate selection may depend on performance, political situation in the constituencies, and also caste combinations.

On speculation regarding Mysuru royal scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar getting a party ticket from Mysuru seat, he said, " I don't know. I have not contacted Yaduveer or spoken to him. Whether others have contacted, I don't know about it."

According to sources, discussions were also held regarding shifting Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje from Udupi-Chikmagalur to the Bengaluru North segment.

The constituencies, which should be left for JD(S), were also discussed at the meeting. Reportedly, JD(S) may contest in three seats -- Mandya, Hassan and Kolar.