'Contest' on to get tickets

With the BJP, Congress and JD(S) parties expected to release the list of candidates contesting the assembly election from the respective parties, several aspirant contestants are playing behind the screen to get the tickets.

With the presence of pro-Congress wave in the State, the Congress tickets are in great demand in the district. KPCC Backward Communities Cell Vice-president T P Ramesh, Zilla Panchayat former member K P Chandrakala, Somwarpet Town Panchayat former president K M Lokesh and Chandramouli are the forerunners trying to contest from Madikeri constituency. Among the four aspirants, T P Ramesh had contested for the assembly election three times earlier, while for the rest of them, it is their first attempt.

There is too much of competition visible in Virajpet constituency, as all the aspirants are strong in their own ways. The names of Congress District President B T Pradeep, former minister M M Nanaiah, Suma Vasanth, former MLC Arun Machaiah, Veena Achaiah are making rounds in the party circle.

As far as BJP is concerned, Appachu Ranjan and K G Bopaiah are most likely to get tickets from Madikeri and Virajpet constituencies respectively, as the BJP state leaders have decided to give tickets to sitting MLAs. BJP District Unit President B D Manjunath in a recent press meet had said that with the BJP having gained popularity in the district, the number of ticket aspirants too has automatically increased. The names of Zilla Panchayat former president Shanteyanda Ravi Kushalappa and M M Ravindra have been sent to the party high-command from Madikeri and Virajpet constituencies. The list is expected to be released in the first week of April.

The JD(S) has already announced former minister B A Jeevijaya from Vokkaliga community as the candidate from Madikeri constituency. But the selection of candidate for Virajpet is pending yet and  it is said that the search is on for the eligible candidate. Former MLA D S Madappa belonging to Aregowda community is one of the main aspirants. Another candidate Majid Khan has stepped back from the fray.

According to the political analysts, D S Madappa might not get the ticket if K G Bopaiah who too belongs to Aregowda community will contest from BJP in the same constituency.