Bellad bats for Bharath Bommai’s candidature in Shiggaon

Bengaluru: BJP MLA and deputy leader of opposition in Assembly Arvind Bellad said on Friday that there are three to four strong contenders, including former CM Basavaraj Bommai’s son Bharath, for the party ticket from the bypoll-bound Shiggaon Assembly constituency.

“I have toured the constituency extensively following the direction by the high command. There are three to four strong contenders for the BJP ticket, but Bharath Bommai holds the edge,” Bellad told reporters here.

“Basavaraj Bommai has openly said that he’s not keen on his son contesting the seat vacated by him after he won the Lok Sabha polls from Haveri-Gadag seat in May. It’s very crucial for us to retain the seat. The party high command will take a final call on the candidate. We, including Bommai, are committed to ensure the party candidate, whoever it is, will cross the line in the Nov 13 bypoll,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said that Basavaraj Bommai held the sway in candidate selection for Shiggaon.

“What is in Bommai’s mind is important, and not how many people have applied for the ticket. We have a system in the party. The high command will take a decision after collecting the opinions of Bommai and local leaders,” Vijayendra told reporters here.

Four candidates file papers

Meanwhile, four candidates, including Ravi Krishna Reddy of Karnataka Rashtra Samithi, filed their papers for the bypoll to Shiggaon Assembly constituency on day one of the filing of nominations on Friday.

Khaja Mohiuddin Gudageri of Socialist Party of India and Shivakumar Talawar of Hindustan Janata Party also filed their nomination papers to election officer Mohammad Khijar.

The last date for filing of nomination is October 25. Scrutiny of papers will be done on October 28 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 30, according to the election officer.