Bengaluru: With the Assembly poll schedule announced, the ruling BJP is likely to release its first list of 145 party candidates for the May 10 polls on Apr. 4.

The BJP Central Election Committee will meet in New Delhi on Apr. 4 to finalise the list of 145 party candidates. BJP National President J.P. Nadda will chair the all-important meeting, which will decide the fate of BJP ticket aspirants. Sources said that the list may have several surprise names and fresh faces.

There are 224 Assembly seats in the State and the Election Commission of India will issue the gazette notification on Apr. 13. The last date for filing of nominations is Apr. 20.

The party is likely to give tickets to those who are closely associated with Sangh Parivar and those who have excelled in various fields. The names of strong candidates will feature in the first list. The State BJP unit is said to have recommended the names of candidates after receiving several rounds of inputs from the party cadre in each of the Assembly seats. However, the BJP Parliamentary Board will decide the choice of candidates after receiving inputs on the final round of internal poll survey and the report of the Sangh Parivar on the winnability of the aspirants.

BJP National Organisational Secretary B.L. Santosh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will have the final say in the choice of candidates, it is said.