Voters may like to have young and professionals as their elected representatives. But this time a good number of seasoned politicians who are well above 60 years are again testing their electoral luck. While G Basavanappa, the BJP candidate from Holehonnur of Shimoga is the senior most to contest the polls, the second senior most is Samajawadi Party leader S Bangarappa. The candidates for many constituencies for the third phase are yet to be announced by three major parties.

36 years

For the last 36 years Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Dharam Singh are members of the Legislative Assembly. They have won in assembly elections continuously for eight times since 1972. They are in the fray this time too. Kharge who won from Gurmitkal all these years has decided to contest from Chitapur this time. The reason given for his decision to shift the constituency is that Gurmitkal is unreserved after the delimitation.
However the changed profile of Gurmitkal does not restrict Kharge, a scheduled caste candidate,  from contesting. But he shifted to Chitapur, which became reserved constituency after the delimitation.

The reasons for changing the constituency are many. In Gulbarga, of the 8 constituency, 5 are reserved. The Party wanted a general candidate contest from unreserved constituency and naturally, Kharge has to look for alternative to Gurumitkal. Kharge’s wish to contest from two constituencies was reportedly not entertained by the high command. 

Ninth time

Dharam Singh is contesting for ninth time from Jewargi and in case he wins, he will be setting a record by winning from the constituency without a break.

Former CM Bangarappa who changed his party affiliation often is contesting for the assembly elections for the eighth time. He represented Soraba in Shimoga district for seven times. This time his son Madhu Bangarappa is contesting on a Samajwadi party ticket from Soraba. Bangarappa has decided to take on BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa in Shikaripura.

Six times

R V Deshpande who was minister in both Janata Dal and Congress governments has won from Haliyal for six times and is contesting from the same constituency.

Yeddyurappa (BJP), Siddaramaiah (Cong), G Basavannappa (BJP) and V S Koujalagi (Cong) have won for five terms. Except Koujalagi others are in the fray expecting re-entry into the assembly. The Congress party has not yet decided candidature of  V S Koujalagi from Arabhavi. Former minister PGR Sindhia who joined the BSP, has won assembly elections for the assembly from Kanakapura for six times. However this time he has decided not to contest.

VETERANS IN FRAY

Mallikarjun Kharge (66 yrs) - won 8 times
Dharam Singh (72 yrs) - won 8 times
S Bangarappa (75 yrs) - won 7 times
R V Deshapande (61 yrs )- won 6 times
B S Yeddyurappa (65 yrs) - won 5 times
Siddaramaiah (60 yrs) - 5 times
(including by-election in 2006)
V S Koujalagi (70 yrs )- won 5 times
G Basavannappa (76 yrs)- won 5 times