Yeddyurappa's son to contest Karnataka assembly bypoll

Bangalore: Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa’s son BY Raghavendra will contest from Shikaripur constituency, which the state BJP strongman had represented, in the 21 August by-elections being held for three seats in Karnataka. [caption id=“attachment_1640661” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] BS Yeddyurappa’s son will contest Karnataka bypolls. AFP[/caption] Yeddyurappa had vacated Shikaripura seat after he made his Lok Sabha debut in the May elections from Shimoga constituency, which his son had represented earlier. State BJP President Prahalad Joshi announced names of the party candidates. Mahantesh Kavatagimath (Chikkodi-Sadalga) and Oblesh (Bellary) are the other candidates. “The names were decided in the party’s core committee meeting held here today,” he said. By-elections to two other seats are being held after sitting MLAs Prakash Hukkeri (Chikkodi-Sadalga) and B Sriramulu (Bellary) were elected to the Lok Sabha. Counting of votes will be taken up on 25 August. The last date for filing nominations is 2 August, while scrutiny will be done on 4 August. 6 August is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. The by-elections is tagged as another litmus test for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government, after the unimpressive show of the ruling Congress in the Lok Sabha elections in which it could notch up only nine out of the 28 seats. BJP had won 17 seats and JDS 2. PTI