Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113053050400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

BJP’s win certain in Council byelection

Special Correspondent

Only two candidates file papers under the Election Commission’s new rules

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

A ONE-HORSE RACE: BJP candidates S. Kailash (centre) and Madhu Made Gowda (second from right) submitting nomination papers in Bangalore on Saturday.

BANGALORE: The two candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the two vacant seats in the legislative council — S. Kailash and Madhu Made Gowda — have virtually won the contest with the major opposition parties, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress refraining from fielding any candidate given the nature of the numerical strength of each party in the Legislative Assembly.

The result of the election will be formally declared, possibly on Monday after the scrutiny of the nomination papers. Today was the last day for filing of nominations. The BJP took advantage of the insufficient number of MLAs on the Opposition side and fielded two candidates after the Election Commission notification categorically stated that for by-election to the Legislative Council there should be separate notifications for each vacant seat. While the BJP has 116 MLAs, the Congress has 77 and the Janat Dal (Secular) 23 following the defections.

The two vacancies in the Council arose following the resignation of Rural Development Minister Shobha Karandlaje and Higher Education Minister Arvind Limbavali.

S. Kailash, BJP State unit secretary, and Madhu Made Gowda, son of the former MP G. Made Gowda, filed nomination papers for the Legislative Council elections on Saturday. They were accompanied by senior party leaders.

The ruling party decided to field Madhu Made Gowda, who had to opt out from Maddur in favour of D.C. Thammanna for the by-election to the legislative assembly from the constituency .

Mr. Kailash (57) contested unsuccessfully from Chickpet in the 1989 Assembly elections. He was the party functionary for several years. Mr. Gowda (44) is a resident of Gurudevarahalli in Maddur taluk in Mandya district.

Returning Officer V. Sreesha said the nomination papers would be scrutinised on December 1. The last day for withdrawal of nomination papers is December 3.

Transport Minister R. Ashok, Medical Education Minister Ramachandra Gowda, Labour Minister B.N. Bacheche Gowda and MLA B.N. Vijaya Kumar were present when candidates filed their nomination papers.