Puttannaiah's son to fight polls as Swaraj India nominee

The family members of the late farmer leader and MLA K S Puttannaiah have decided to field his son Darshan Puttannaiah from the Melkote constituency in the upcoming elections. Darshan will contest from the Swaraj India Party from Melkote, which was represented by his father in the Assembly.

Raitha Sangha district president Shambunahalli Suresh said the people of the constituency are of the view that Darshan was the right candidate to contest the polls. So, the Sangha has decided on his candidature. "The late MLA's wife Sunitha Puttannaiah and other members of his family too have given their approval. Moreover, youths should be given an opportunity to lead the farmers' movement. The late Puttannaiah too had the same opinion," Suresh said.

Raitha Sangha and Swaraj India Party leaders will hold a meeting near Puttannaiah's tomb and officially announce Darshan's candidature on Thursday.