Date:26/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/26/stories/2006052608210400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

12 in fray for Council elections

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: There are 12 candidates contesting the 11 seats in the Legislative Council to be filled through elections from the Assembly on June 1 with the withdrawal of the candidature of the sole independent, A. Prasad (Jalahalli Prasad).

Elections have now become inevitable, and the three major parties — the BJP, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) — have fielded four candidates each. Today was the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

Council Secretary K. Jayashankara Murthy, who is the Returning Officer for the elections, announced the withdrawal of the nomination papers of Mr. Prasad, a close associate of the the late Jeevaraj Alva, former Minister.

The elections will be held on June 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The counting of votes will begin at 5 p.m. the same evening and the results will be announced.