This BJP Candidate Is Trained In Jungle Warfare, Counter-Insurgency, And Also Organises Kambala, Mangaluru Lit Fest

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its list of candidates from Karnataka. This includes Captain Brijesh Chowta, a former army man, who will be taking over the reins from former state BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Kateel faced heavy anti-incumbency in his seat and has been accused of being responsible for the BJP's devastating performance in the 2023 assembly elections. He also faced public anger for the murder of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru by a person belonging to the minority community.

Chowta, a graduate of St. Aloysius College Mangaluru, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 2002, and later went on to obtain an Executive Business Management Programme from the Indian Institute of Management Indore in 2011.

His military training commenced 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 service in the Indian Army from 2003 to 2010, Captain Chowta was involved in counter-insurgency operations in Assam and Manipur, including a stint with the elite Ghatak team, and also served as an Adjutant to his battalion. These roles underscore his active military career. He is also trained in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency from the CIJW School Warangte in Mizoram.

Transitioning from military to political life, Captain Chowta has been actively involved with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka. Starting from 2013, his roles within the party have evolved 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 reflects his engagement and upward trajectory within the party structure, including involvement in various election duties over the years. As the election in-charge for the BJP in Byndoor by-polls, Chowta played a crucial role in winning the seat for the BJP in a high-intensity fight.

Aside from his political and military engagements, Captain Chowta has actively participated in community and cultural activities. He has played a significant role in advocating for Kambala, a traditional folk sport, by organising the Mangaluru Kambala event.

In intellectual circles, he is known as the man behind the Mangaluru Literature Festival. The festival has hosted many big names in the past from various walks of life, including journalists, actors, directors, poets, academics, and veteran army personnel.

Captain Brijesh Chowta's profile with a blend of military service, political involvement, and community engagement is said to have impressed the party and eventually led to his nomination.