Electioneering picks up pace as several candidates file nomination papers across state

BENGALURU: With all major political parties in the state having announced candidates for most of the Assembly segment, several contestants filed their nomination papers with the respective returning officers on Monday.

Almost all leaders offered prayers at temples before submitting their nomination papers. The last date for filing of nominations is April 20 and the papers will be scrutinised on April 21. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 24.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy taking the blessings of his grandfather H D Deve Gowda before submitting his nomination.

In Bengaluru, Dr C N Ashwanth Narayan and R Ashoka of the BJP filed their nomination papers from Malleswaram and Padmanabha Nagar constituencies, respectively. Minister Gopalaiah is set to file in nomination papers from Mahalakshmi Layout constituency while Sharath Bacche Gowda filed his nomination as Congress candidate from Hoskote segment.

Minister Muniratna too filed his nomination papers from RR Nagar constituency while Dr K Srinivasa Murthy filed his papers as J(D)S candidate from Nelamangala. Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao filed his nomination as the party’s candidate from Gandhi Nagar. Former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao filed his papers as BJP candidate from Chamarajpet.

H D Revanna filing his nomination from Holenarasipura constituency.

Congress state president D K Shivakumar, accompanied by his family members, filed his nomination papers from Kanakapura, while Nikhil Kumaraswamy of JD(S) filed his papers from Ramanagara, a seat held by his mother Anitha Kumaraswamy. Former minister H D Revanna filed his nomination from Holenarasipura segment, accompanied by his wife Bhavani Revanna.

Dr K Sudhakar did a temple run before submitting his nomination papers.

Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar, who had symbolically submitted his nomination papers last week, on Monday officially filed another set of papers along with the B-form. He also took out a huge rally in a show of strength.

Former CM H D Kumaraswamy will accompany party candidate Saurabh Chopra while filing his papers from Saundatti-Yellamma constituency. In Bhalki, KPCC working president Eshwar Khandre will file his papers after Rahul Gandhi’s public rally. The BJP’s Basavakalyan candidate Sharanu Salagar will also file his papers on Monday.

In Hiriyur, BJP candidate Poornima Srinivas will file her papers while party national general secretary C T Ravi, accompanied by about 3,000 party workers, went in procession and filed his nomination from Chikkamagalur.

Former Varthur Prakash filed his papers from Kolar.

In Kolar, former minister Varthur Prakash filed his nomination while the Aam Aadmi Party AAP candidate Dr Venkatachala filed his papers from Srinivasapura constituency.

The BJP candidate Roopali Naik, and Congress candidate Satish Sail were set to file their nominations from Karwar. In Bhatkal, Congress candidate Mankalu Vaidya and BJP candidate Sunil Naik filed their nominations. Kumta BJP candidate Dinakar Shetty after taking out a huge procession, which resulted in a traffic jam on the highway.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accompanied his cabinet colleague V Somanna while the latter filed his nomination papers from Varuna constituency where he will be facing Congress leader Siddaramaiah. In Madikeri, BJP candidate Appachu Ranjan, accompanied by a huge crowd, filed his papers from Madikeri constituency.

BJP national general secretary C T Ravi filed his nomination from Chikkamagalur.

In Soraba, BJP candidate Kumar Bangarappa and Congress candidate Madhu Bangarappa filed their papers while while Belur Gopalakrishna filed his papers from Sagar and Nagaraj Gowda filed his nomination as Congress rebel in Shikaripur.

Surpur BJP candidate Rajugouda, who had filed his nomination papers symbolically on April 6, on Monday filed his papers officially. Chandrakanth Patil on Monday filed his nomination as BJP’s candidate from Gulbarga North Assembly constituency. He was accompanied by BJP Karnataka Incharge Arun Singh and other leaders.

Across the state, several other candidates of different parties too submitted their nomination papers.