Candidates on canvassing spree

Ex-minister Ramdas jumps into campaign; Simha meets Bhyrappa

A day after the first phase of the poll process came to an end on Wednesday, with 22 candidates filing their papers for the election to the Lok Sabha from Mysore-Kodagu constituency, the two major political parties — Congress and BJP — went on a campaign spree, here, on Thursday.

The highlight of the day was embattled former minister S A Ramdas jumping into the campaign trail, along with the party’s nominee Prathapa Simha.

Ramdas, who had remained recluse for nearly 37 days after he was accused of betrayal by a woman, resumed his date with politics with the padayatra along with Simha in Krishnaraja Assembly constituency, also his fiefdom.

Speaking to media persons, Ramdas said, it is on his own volition that he decided to work for the party, without waiting for any instructions from the higher ups. It is in the interest of elevating BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to the key post.

For Modi

Unlike the other day, when the sapping Ramdas made a first appearance after he was involved in a controversy, Ramdas was in his usual self and embarked on foot from Shivapura gate under Ward 13 on the Mysore-Manandavadi road at 8 am, seeking votes in the name of Modi. 

The duo covered localities like Srirampura, BEML Layout, Madhuvana Layout, Vivekananda Nagar Circle, Kuvempunagar and other localities in the wards 14, 15, 17, 18, 21 and 22.

While Ramdas left midway, after campaigning till the Hudco Colony, Simha continued with his canvassing. He also called on writer S L Bhyrappa at his residence, adjacent to Hotel Shanthisagar Complex, in Kuvempunagar. The campaigning came to an end at T K Layout around 4 pm.

On the other hand, sitting MP and Congress candidate A H Vishwanath, who resumed his campaigning at the same time (as Simha), interacted with the joggers and strollers at the foot of Chamundi Hill. He also sought votes from the vegetable vendors and buyers at the wholesale market on M G road. 

Simple ceremony

Vishwanath, later, took part in a simple ceremony organised to open his campaign office setup at the house of Chamaraja MLA Vasu at Jayalakshmipuram.

Information and Wakf Minister R Roshan Baig, who opened the office, heaped praises on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the State, exuding confidence of emerging victorious in the LS polls.

At the Janata Dal (Secular) camp too, there were some activities, with the party leaders, led by the candidate and former Upa Lokayukta Chandrashekaraiah, paying obeisance at Tipu Sultan’s tomb in Srirangapatna. He also took out a padayatra in ward 38.

Later, in the evening, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy addressed the party workers at Amma Community Hall at Dattagalli. The campaign is expected to get a push from Friday, after offering puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hill.