Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051652470300.htm

Karnataka

Polling today in Uttara Kannada; 52 candidates in fray

Correspondent

SIRSI: Three former Ministers and four former MLAs are among those trying their luck in the Assembly elections in Uttara Kannada district where polling will be held on Friday.

Former Ministers R.V. Deshpande of the Congress is contesting from Haliyal constituency, P.S. Jaiwant of the Janata Dal (Secular) from Yellapur and Shivanand Naik of the Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting from Bhatkal constituency.

Former MLAs Vishweshwar Hegde of the BJP is contesting from Sirsi constituency, Mohan Shetty of the Congress from Kumta, Gangadhar Bhat (former BJP MLA) is contesting as an independent candidate from Karwar and J.D. Naik of the Congress is contesting from Bhatkal constituency.

As many as 52 candidates are contesting from the six constituencies in the district. A total of 1,072 polling booths have been set up in the district. Of the 9,47,713 voters in district 6,59,746 have been given electors photo identity cards.

A total of 1,800 paramilitary personnel have been deployed.