Columnist Prathapa Simha, on Thursday, filed his nomination papers as the BJP candidate for the election to Lok Sabha from Mysore-Kodagu constituency, scheduled to be held on April 17 in the State.

Prathapa Simha, accompanied by his wife J S Arpitha and two-year-old daughter Vipanchi submitted his nomination papers in four sets to Deputy Commissioner C Shikha, also the District Electoral Officer.

Former speaker and Madikeri MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Go Madhusudhan and former MLC Thontadary from the saffron party also accompanied him.

Earlier, Prathapa Simha and his family members drove straight to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, after addressing party workers on the premises of Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple at Mysore Palace North Gate.

Simha had earlier planned to take out a rally up to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and had also obtained permission from the authorities concerned.

However, he abandoned the plans at the last minute, as the number of party workers were more than the prescribed 150 people set by the Election Commission to participate in a rally, ahead of filing the papers. Even as the cultural troupes, especially native drummers, were waiting, Simha and others got into a SUV and headed towards the DC’s office.

Earlier in his address, Simha set the pitch for the poll battle in the old Mysore region as to why Narendra Modi-led government should ascend to power at the Centre.

“When Pakistani soldiers beheaded two Indian soldiers, our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could have clandestinely ordered the soldiers to behead four from the enemy side.

Instead, the prime minister preferred back door talks in the name of peace”, mocked Simha, appealing to the gathering to vote for BJP for the safety of all.

Simha promised to come out with a report card on progress every year, if he is elected to the Parliament.