Asnotikar signs papers, does not submit

Coalition candidate from Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency Anand Asnotikar, following the suggestion by the family priest, signed nomination papers at 1.30 pm on Saturday, but did not submit the same to the district election officer.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, the JD(S) leader said, "The family priest had instructed me to file nomination papers today (Saturday). Since, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is coming to Karwar on April 4, I will file my nomination papers on that day."

Taking a dig against MP Ananthkumar Hegde, Asnotikar said, "Ananthkumar Hegde is one of his kind. He is a 'model MP' and is incomparable. In the last 22 years as MP, Hegde has not attended even a single KDP meeting. The incumbent MP has done nothing noteworthy in the constituency. The voters will teach him a lesson this time."

Former minister Asnotikar, who joined JD(S) ahead of 2018 Assembly elections, said, "Hegde is unwanted in the BJP itself. He speaks against Islam but conducts business transactions with a Muslim country. He can stoop to any low for votes," Asnotikar charged.