The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its list of candidates from Karnataka, with Captain Brijesh Chowta, a former army man, set to take over the reins from former state BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Kateel, who faced heavy anti-incumbency in his seat, has been accused of being responsible for the BJP’s poor performance in the 2023 assembly elections. Additionally, he faced public anger for the murder of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru by a person belonging to the minority community.

Captain Brijesh Chowta, a graduate of St. Aloysius College Mangaluru, holds a Bachelor of Science degree and an Executive Business Management Programme from the Indian Institute of Management Indore. His military journey began with the Short Service Commission at the Officers Training Academy Chennai in 2003, leading to a commission into the 7th Battalion of the 8th Gorkha Rifles.

During his tenure in the Indian Army from 2003 to 2010, Captain Chowta was actively involved in counter-insurgency operations in Assam and Manipur, including a stint with the elite Ghatak team. He also served as an Adjutant to his battalion and received training in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency from the CIJW School Warangte in Mizoram.

Transitioning into political life, Captain Chowta has been actively engaged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka since 2013. His roles within the party have progressed from District General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in Dakshina Kannada to becoming the State Secretary of the BJP in Karnataka by December 2023.

His political journey highlights his dedication and advancement within the party structure, including significant involvement in various election duties over the years. Notably, as the election in-charge for the BJP in Byndoor by-polls, Chowta played a pivotal role in securing victory for the BJP in a tightly contested race.

Beyond his political and military endeavors, Captain Chowta has actively participated in community and cultural activities. He has been a strong advocate for Kambala, a traditional folk sport, organizing the Mangaluru Kambala event.

Moreover, he is credited with founding the Mangaluru Literature Festival, which has attracted prominent personalities from diverse fields. Captain Brijesh Chowta’s multifaceted profile, combining military service, political acumen, and community engagement, is said to have impressed the party leadership, leading to his nomination.

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