Haveri, Apr 20 (IANS): Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai filed his nomination on Friday as a BJP candidate for the Haveri Lok Sabha seat in the state.

Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi were present along with Bommai while he filed the nomination.

The Congress has fielded Anand Gaddadevara Mutt, a fresh face, against Bommai.

Sitting MP Shivakumar Udasi represented the Haveri Parliamentary seat in the 2009, 2014, and 2019 general elections.

Udasi announced retirement from electoral politics ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Thousands of workers from both BJP and JD-S were present in Haveri at the time of filing nomination.

They marched together in the procession.

A roadshow was held from Hukkeri Math till Sir Siddappa Kambli Circle.

Speaking at the rally, B.S. Yediyurappa appealed to the voters to ensure Bommai's victory by a margin of over 2 lakh votes.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, while addressing the gathering, said: "Boycott those who boycotted Pran Pratistha ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Kick out those who talk of bringing back Article 370. Dump them into the sea who support raising pro-Pakistan slogans. Those who oppose reciting Hanuman Chalisa, 'burn' them as Lord Hanuman did."

Addressing the gathering, Bommai offered his "heartfelt thanks" to thousands of workers who turned up for the rally, saying it was a sign of victory.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi must become the PM again, the BJP must cross 400 seats in the country... they must win all the 28 seats in Karnataka," he said.