Candidates file papers after 'show of strength'

All three major political parties took out massive processions in the City on Monday, before Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar of BJP, MLA Prasad Abbayya of Congress, and JD(S) candidate Rajanna Koravi filed their nomination papers for the Assembly elections.

Display of flags, slogans, music, dance, and gathering of thousands of people marked the processions of the election candidates. Shettar's procession began in the Keshwapur area, while Prasad's procession started at Indi Pump Circle, and Koravi's rally started from Unkal.

However, processions were not allowed to enter Lamington Road where the offices of returning officers are situated. The BJP procession was stopped near Saibaba Mandir near Court Circle, while Congress rally stopped on Koppikar Road. JD(S) procession was stopped near Sangolli Rayanna Circle. Candidates' family members, friends, supporters, and party workers participated in the processions.

Candidates, accompanied by only a few persons, were allowed to enter the returning officer's office premises, to file nominations. Heavy bundobust was also arranged.

Shettar's temple run

Jagadish Shettar visited five temples during his procession before filing the nomination.

On the way of the procession from Nagashettikoppa area to Court Circle, Shettar visited Ganapati Temple at Uday Nagar, Maruti Temple at Nagashettikoppa, Raghavendraswamy Temple at Bhavani Nagar, Kamakshi Temple at Deshpande Nagar, and Saibaba Temple near Court Circle. His wife Shilpa Shettar, MP Pralhad Joshi, and others accompanied him.

When Shettar filed the nomination for Hubballi-Dharwad Central constituency, in two sets, at the returning officer's office at the HDMC, former MP Vijay Sankeshwar, Deputy Mayor Menaka Hurali, and others were present.

"The opponent have no issues in this election and there is no allegation against me. Therefore, they are charging that development has not taken place here. People know the reality, and they also know that development did not take place under Congress regime," Shettar told media persons later.

Prasad's rally

Before taking out the procession from Indi Pump Circle, MLA Prasad Abbayya visited Basel Mission Church, Sidharooda Mutt, and Hazarat Sayed Fatah Shah Wali Dargah.

Thousands of Congress workers and supporters took part in the procession which moved via Old Hubballi Durgadabail, and New English School Circle. Altaf Hallur, Raja Desai, and other Congress leaders took part.

Later, Prasad Abbayya filed the nomination papers as the Congress candidate for Hubballi-Dharwad East constituency, at the returning officer's office at Mini Vidhan Soudha.

Koravi on bullock cart

From Siddappajja Mutt at Unkal, JD(S) candidate Rajanna Koravi took a massive procession, and waved at his supporters, on a bullock cart. Folk troupes also took part in the rally, while MLC Basavaraj Horatti joined the procession near Chennamma Circle.

Koravi filed his nomination for Hubballi-Dharwad Central Constituency, in the presence of his father Moorusavirappa Koravi, and others. He expressed confidence that people would support him in the polls this time.

Traffic jam

Massive processions of candidates of three major political parties, taken out from different places in the City, caused traffic jams at various places in Hubballi on Monday.

Traffic congestion was experienced at Old Hubballi, Deshpande Nagar, Court Circle, Hubballi-Dharwad Road, and other areas, due to the processions. Office-goers and others who experienced inconvenience cursed politicians, while traffic police had a tough time to divert the traffic and ensure smooth movement of vehicles.