Annasaheb and Shashikala Jolle, a husband-and-wife team, were fielded by the BJP in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. Annasaheb contested from Chikkodi-Sadalaga, while Shashikala ran for re-election in Nippani.
Shashikala faced off against her political rival, Kakasaheb Patil. Annasaheb challenged Congress MLA Ganesh Hukkeri, son of Chikkodi MP Prakash Hukkeri. The Hukkeris and Jolles hail from the same village.
The Hukkeris, belonging to the Panchamsali community, enjoyed significant popularity. The Jolles, Banajiga Lingayats, have been involved in cooperative societies and educational institutions, leading to the establishment of the Beereshwar Cooperative Bank with over 120 branches and the Jolle Foundation.
In 2004, Annasaheb lost to Prakash Hukkeri. Shashikala lost to Kakasaheb Patil in 2008 but won in 2013. Both Shashikala's and Annasaheb's candidacies were announced by the BJP.