Prakash Raj filed nomination as an Independent candidate
35 candidates file nominations for LS polls in state on Friday
Bengaluru, Mar 22: JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna, multi-lingual actor Prakash Raj and two sitting BJP MPs P C Mohan and Shobha Karandlaje were among 35 candidates who filed their nominations in Karnataka on Friday for the first phase of LokSabha polls in the state.
A total of 38 nominations have been received from 35 candidates on Friday, poll officials said, adding that cumulative nominations filed so far stands at 83 from 72 candidates.
While Prajwal Revanna filed his nomination from the family turf Hassan, Karandlaje filed her papers from Udupi-Chikmagalur and P C Mohan and Prakash Raj from Bangalore Central.
Marking the entry of the third generation of the Gowda family into electoral politics, Prajwal, son of PWD Minister H D Revanna filed nomination in the presence of his father, uncle and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and mother Bhavani Revanna, a Zilla Panchayat member in Hassan.
Prajwal was on a temple visiting spree ahead of his filing nomination as the Gowda family, especially Minister Revanna,is known for their strong belief in astrology and religious traditions.
After filing his nomination, Prajwal along with Kumaraswamy, addressed a huge gathering of supporters and public in Hassan.
Prajwal, who is the joint candidate of the Congress-JD(S)coalition, will take on BJP's A Manju.
Manju joined BJP on Sunday, unhappy with Congress' decision to cede Hassan seat to its coalition partner JD(S).
Manju was earlier with BJP before joining Congress and becoming a Minister in the previous Siddaramaiah led government and again returning to the saffron party.
Shobha Karandlaje filed her nomination from Udupi-Chikmagalur in the presence of party local leaders, including former Minister Jeevraj.
Despite resentment locally, BJP had announced her ticket on Thursday.
P C Mohan filed his nomination from Bangalore Central in the presence of senior BJP MLAs R Ashok, Suresh Kumar and Arvind Limbavali.
Prakash Raj, known as a staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, will take on Mohan, as an independent candidate from Bangalore Central.
AAP has extended its support to Raj in Bangalore Central.
While BJP has announced its list of 21 candidates, Congress and JD(S) who have entered into a seat sharing of 20 and 8 seats respectively, are yet to finalise their list.
Karnataka will go for the polls in two phases, 14 constituencies each, on April 18 and 23.
While the last date for filing of nominations for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls is on March 26, scrutiny will take place on March 27.
The last date for withdrawal is March 29.
For the second phase polls on April 23, notification will be issued on March 28.
The last date for nominations is April 4.
Scrutiny will take place on April 5 and the last day for withdrawal is April 8.
Counting of votes and announcement of results for both phases will be on May 23.
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Cong high command, CM to decide on K'taka Cabinet reshuffle: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said any decision regarding the cabinet reshuffle rests solely with the Congress high command and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
His remarks come as several party legislators step up their demands for a ministerial role.
Defending the MLAs' right to express their desires, the minister said, "It is natural to have aspirations and there is nothing wrong in seeking a minister post. What is wrong in them (MLAs) asking for an opportunity? Whether to give or not is upto the high command to decide... it is the Chief Minister's discretion..."
Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said the high command will look into these things and decide what needs to be done.
A group of senior Congress legislators, who have served as MLAs for over three terms, called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, urging him to rejig the cabinet and give them an opportunity to serve as Ministers.
The group of about 40 legislators has planned to travel to New Delhi on April 11 after the by-polls, to meet the Congress high command and discuss the induction of at least 20 of them during the reshuffle.
Some first and second-time legislators have also recently pressed for a cabinet reshuffle.
Amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress with speculations about CM change that has intensified after the government completed half way mark in November, a section of Congress MLAs has been pushing for a cabinet rejig for some time, with several aspirants openly expressing their wish to be inducted.
Karnataka has a sanctioned strength of 34 ministers, including the chief minister. Two cabinet berths are currently vacant — following the resignation of B Nagendra over allegations of embezzlement at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, and the sacking of K N Rajanna from the cabinet on the instructions of the party high command.
Asked whether the Congress faced difficulty in finalising candidates for the April 9 by-polls to Bagalkot and Davangere South Assembly segments, Parameshwara said there was no difficulty, and that the party is evaluating candidates in both constituencies, based on winnability as a criterion.
"The Davangere seat was earlier represented by Shamanur Shivashankarappa, so naturally there is demand for the ticket for his family, also as the minority community population is higher in that segment they too are asking for the ticket. Ultimately, the party will decide. In Bagalkote too, there is a demand that tickets be given to the late MLA Meti's son; there are also other aspirants there seeking tickets. The party will decide," he said.
Based on reports from the local workers about winnability, the party will decide on the candidates, he added.
Bypolls for the Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly constituencies have been necessitated following the deaths of sitting Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, respectively.
To a question regarding AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala's visit to the state, the Home Minister said he is most likely here for discussions regarding the by-polls, and there may also be other matters.
"AICC General Secretary may have come with certain mandates."
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