Shivaramegowda of JD(S), BJP’s Siddaramaiah file papers

JD(S)-Congress coalition candidate L R Shivaramegowda and BJP candidate Siddaramaiah filed their nomination papers for the Lok Sabha by-election for Mandya constituency, here, on Monday.

Shivaramegowda, accompanied by supporters of both the parties, took out a procession from Visvesvaraya statue to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and filed the nomination. He was accompanied by all eight JD(S) MLAs under Mandya Lok Sabha constituency and Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh, (KR Nagar MLA). Congress minister K J George was also present. Interestingly, local Congress leaders stayed away from the event.

Speaking to reporters, George said, “The coalition government is giving good governance. The leaders of both the parties will stay united and work for the victory of the candidates of the coalition in the by-election. I will speak to local Congress leaders and seek their cooperation and support for the victory of the candidate,” he said.

Low-key affair

While the coalition candidate Shivaramegowda made nomination filing event a show of strength, it was a low key affair for the BJP. The party candidate Siddaramaiah, accompanied by handful of supporters, filed his nomination papers.

There was no procession, display of flags, which mirrored the disappointment among the local leaders, in fielding Siddaramaiah as the candidate.

Siddaramaiah said, he belongs to Mandya and had to stay away from the district as he was a government employee. He said that BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa will campaign for him in Mandya, on Tuesday.

Observer appointed

The Election Commission of India has appointed Pandhari Yadav, a 1998 batch IAS officer, as the Observer for the Mandya Lok Sabha by-elections. The public can submit petitions in connection with the by-elections, to the officer, at the Inspection Bungalow in Mandya on October 16, or contact his mobile number 82778 08133, said a press release issued by DC N Manjushri.