On Day 1 of filing nominations, 2 Congress aspirants in Chickpet, 2 rebels in Bidar file papers

BENGALURU: With filing of nominations beginning today (April 13), the election process has been officially set into motion and the election officials in Bengaluru have made all necessary arrangements.

The last date to file nominations is April 20 and papers will be accepted every day till 3 pm at the offices of the returning officer of the respective Assembly constituency and the joint commisioner. The scrutiny of applications will be done on April 21 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination is April 24.

Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Dayananda said all preparations have been made beforehand.

Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Dayananda said, “Election activities increase with the process of nomination beginning, but we have been alert beforehand. Candidates can spend Rs 40 lakh towards election expenditure and we have issued a rate chart for various things which they have to follow”, he said.

Gangambike Mallikarjun and KGF Babu speaking to the media before filing their papers.

Meanwhile, on the first day, two Congress aspirants — Ganganbike Mallikarjun and KGF Babu — rushed to the office of the returning officer in Chickpet to file nomination papers though the party has not yet announced its candidate. Gangambike said she is hoping that the party will give a chance to a woman candidate while KGF Babu also extended his support to her.

Both also took out a procession from Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar along with their supporters and former corporators. KGF Babu told the media that he is filing his nomination as an independent candidate for now. “I hope the Congress gives me a ticket, and I will contest from whichever party gives me the ticket. If I don’t get the ticket, then I will consult my supporters and religious leaders and do as they say”, he said.

Both Gangambike and KGF Babu filed two sets of nomination papers, one as Congress candidate and another as Independent.

In Bidar, rebel Congress leader Chandra Singh is set to file his nomination papers from Bidar South constituency after the party announced Ashok Kheny as its candidate. Chandra Singh is the son-in-law of former CM N Dharam Singh.

In Bidar South, rebel Congress candidate Shashikumar Chondi is set to file his nomination papers after the party picked Rahim Khan as its candidate.