Despite the BJP’s outreach to the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Karnataka through an increase in reservation quota from 3% to 7%, which the party claimed was historic, the saffron party has drawn a blank in the 15 constituencies reserved for scheduled tribes (STs). Confusion over reservation and inclusion of Talwar and Parwar communities in the ST list is being seen as among the reasons for the defeat
While the BJP had won six ST seats in 2018, the Congress had won 8 seats and Janata Dal (Secular) 1 seat. In 2023, the ruling BJP faced a rout in ST constituencies while the Congress won 14 seats and one went to the JD(S).
Barring one ST reserved seat in Mysuru district (H.D. Kote) and another in Belagavi (Yemkanmardi), members of the Nayaka (Beda/Valmiki) community constitute a significant number of voters in Chitradurga, Ballari, Raichur, Belagavi and Yadgir districts.