Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 7: Tiruvail ward used to be a part of Bantwal assembly constituency in the past before being included under the city corporation in 2002. Initially, it was represented by Jayaprakash Shetty. However, as the constituency was reserved for women candidates in the next election, he fielded his wife, Jyoti Jayaprakash Shetty, in the city corporation election in 2007. She won the election as an independent candidate, and represented Tiruvail constituency till recently, before resigning from the post, citing personal reasons.

The bypoll from the ward will be held on January 10. Meera Ashok from Congress, Hemalata Raghu Salian from BJP, Bhavani from CPM, and Stella Fernandes from JDU are in the fray. However, it is generally believed that the real fight will be between Congress and BJP candidates. The fact that the ward falls under the assembly constituency represented by minister, J Krishna Palemar, has added the hue of prestige to the election.

The ward has 5,144 voters comprising 2,412 men and 2,732 women. Votes will be counted on january 13, and results will be announced on that day.