N Y Ajay, Ramaprasad, Kamala Mariswamy and B K Basappa are in the list. Ajay, an advocate, is the son of N Y Hanumanthappa, while Ramaprasad is the former Bellary Youth Congress president.  Kamala is the Congress women’s wing president in the district, while Basappa is a District Congress committee member.

In all probability, Ramaprasad may emerge as the choice of the high command. The Hanumanthappa family is not keen on fielding anyone, it is said.

The JD (S) is not likely to field its candidate following former minister B Sriramulu's decision to contest as an independent candidate. The party has decided to do all that is necessary to ensure the defeat of the official candidate of the ruling BJP. By not fielding its candidate, the JD(S) would be indirectly helping Sriramulu by preventing splitting of votes.

At the same time, the JD(S) would try to take credit by announcing that it would boycott the bypoll saying that it has been forced up on people of Bellary, sources pointed out.  Another reason for the JD(S) planning not to contest the bypoll is the non-availability of a strong, local candidate.

JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda, it is said, is not in favour the party
contesting the bypoll. But the State president, H D Kumaraswamy, is yet to come to a decision. Its spokesperson, Y S V Datta, said the party will take an appropriate decision on Thursday.