MLC polls: 2 candidates out of fray

JD(S) legal cell chief, Cong rebel withdraw papers; 17 contestants stay

Two of the total 19 candidates, who had filed their nominations for election to State Legislative Council from South Graduates seat, have withdrawn their papers. With this, 17 candidates remain in the fray for the election, scheduled to be held on June 9.

Ravichandre Gowda N R, Janata Dal (Secular) legal cell president, and Y S Siddaraju, a Congress rebel who had filed his nomination as independent, have opted out of the election, on Thursday, the last date to do so.

The candidates in the fray are: M V Ravishankar (BJP), Dr H N Ravindra (Congress), K T Srikantegowda (JD(S)), H K Krishna (Karunada Party), K P Chidanand (Samajwadi Party), Nagabushan Aradhya (Samajwadi Janata Party), Vatal Nagaraj (Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha) and independents Dr Krishnamurthy Chamaram, R K Govil, K S Bhagavan, H N Manchegowda, Manju G N, P S Yadurappa, Ravishankar M N, Rajeev Srirangaraju, Vishwanath G S and Veerabhadra Swamy N.

Presiding over the meeting of the candidates in fray, Regional Commissioner A M Kunjappa, also returning officer, said, a total of 120 booths will be set up in four districts, comprising the electorate. The highest of 59 booths will be set up in Mysuru, followed by 34 in Mandya, 26 in Hassan and 11 in Chamarajanagar.

Reminding the nominees about the do’s and don’ts related to the model code of conduct, as issued by the election commission, Kunjappa directed the candidates to maintain accounts of expenditures, though there is no cap on spending in the hustings.

The candidates are banned from canvassing at places of worship, besides making it mandatory for tahsildars to record every public function and programme. The candidates should also compulsory seek permission from local bodies and Police department before organising any programme.

Every publicity material should contain imprint on publisher and number of copies, besides apprising the deputy commissioner on the same.

The candidates will be issued identity cards upon furnishing two passport size photos. Three vehicles can be used by each candidate on the polling day, only after obtaining necessary permission from the authorities concerned. Driving licence, registration certificate (RC) book and insurance copy should be submitted to obtain permission.

The personnel attached to Excise, Police and Revenue departments will jointly man checkposts at borders. A meeting involving officials from the said departments will be convened soon, to issue specific instructions. Deputy commissioner is the assistant returning officer for the election. Any complaint can be lodged with the DC.