MLC elections: BJP, Congress aspirants step up lobbying

Hectic lobbying has begun in the two national parties, the BJP and the Congress, for the upcoming elections to 11 seats of the Karnataka Legislative Council scheduled on June 11.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are the voters in the elections. Of the 11 seats for which elections will be held, the BJP can elect five members, the Congress four and the JD(S) two.

The BJP currently has 104 MLAs, the Congress 78 and the JD(S) 37. Besides, there are three more MLAs – one each from BSP and KPJP and an Independent. While the Independent and KPJP MLAs are supporting the Congress, the JD(S) enjoys the support of the BSP.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (OCEO), Karnataka, on Thursday issued a notification for taking up the election process. Accordingly, May 31 is the last date for filing nominations, and June 4 is the last date for withdrawal.

Many senior BJP leaders have started lobbying to become the candidates in the polls. Names of retiring MLCs D S Veeraiah, B J Puttaswamy and Banu Prakash, former MLC Ashwathnarayan and state general secretary N Ravi Kumar are making rounds in the saffron party. The state leaders have held a preliminary meeting on the candidate selection and the final decision will be taken in two to three days, BJP sources said.

Over a dozen leaders are vying with each other to become the candidates in the Congress. Prominent among the leaders trying to become MLCs are former legislators Rani Satish and Mallajamma, former Bengaluru Mayor Ramachandrappa and retiring MLC C M Ibrahim.

Former MLA L R Shivarame Gowda and B M Farooq are the strong contenders in the JD(S).