Date:04/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/04/stories/2005120404930300.htm

Karnataka - Madikeri

117 candidates in the fray for zilla panchayat polls in Kodagu

Staff Correspondent

183 in race for the 49 taluk panchayat seats in the district

Madikeri: There are 117 candidates in fray for the 29 zilla panchayat seats, and 183 candidates for the 49 taluk panchayat seats in Kodagu after the last date of withdrawal here on Saturday.

There are 27 candidates in the race for seven seats in the zilla panchayat from Madikeri taluk after five withdrew nomination papers on Saturday. In Virajpet taluk, for the 11 seats, 41 are left in fray after 10 candidates withdrew their nominations. Similarly, in Somwarpet taluk, for the 11 seats, there are 49 candidates in the fray as five candidates withdrew from the contest.

For the 11 taluk panchayat seats in the Madikeri taluk, there are 39 candidates in the fray after four withdrew nomination papers on Saturday. Of the 19 seats in Somwarpet taluk panchayat, there are 79 candidates left in the fray and for the 19 seats in Virajpet taluk panchayat, 65 are left in the fray as 12 candidates withdrew their nomination papers.

Elections to the zilla panchayat and three taluk panchayats in Kodagu will be held in the first phase on December 19.