Karnataka polls: Here’s how first-timers fared in previous elections

By Avinaw Rajvansh : The upcoming Karnataka Assembly election is set to witness an interesting battle, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielding 72 first-time candidates, which is about one-third of the total 224 candidates, in the fray. The BJP is banking on these new faces to bring about a “generational shift” in Karnataka’s politics and also to counter the anti-incumbency factor.

Anti-incumbency has been a significant factor in Karnataka politics. This becomes evident from the fact that no political party has won a successive mandate in the state since 1985 and the BJP is eager to rewrite this bit of history and retain the only southern state in its kitty and new faces may offer a much-needed change for the party.

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In the 2018 elections, 62 out of the 222 elected MLAs were first-time winners, with the BJP and the Congress accounting for 30 and 18 seats, respectively. The numbers have been consistent over the years, with 69 first-time winners in 2013, 92 in 2008, 103 in 2004, 87 in 1999, 122 in 1994, 118 in 1989, 125 in 1985, and 167 in 1983.

Let’s take a look at the performance of first-time winners in 5 previous Karnataka polls.

First-time winners in 2018 elections:

• 62 out of the 222 elected MLAs were first-time winners;
• 30 from BJP, 18 from Congress

First-time winners in 2013 elections:

• 69 out of the 224 elected MLAs were first-time winners;
• 6 from BJP, 34 from Congress

First-time winners in 2008 elections:

• 92 out of the 224 elected MLAs were first-time winners;
• 52 from BJP, 25 from Congress

First-time winners in the 2004 elections:

• 103 out of the 224 elected MLAs were first-time winners;
• 50 from BJP, 14 from Congress

First-time winners in 1999 elections:

• 87 out of the 224 elected MLAs were first-time winners;
• 25 from BJP, 46 from Congress

With the BJP fielding 72 first-time candidates in the upcoming elections, it has to be seen how these new faces will fare and whether they can bring about the much-needed “generational shift” in the state’s politics.

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