Daijiworld News Network - Bangalore (MB)
From political correspondent from Vidhana Soudha

Bangalore, Apr 10: Fifteen members of the state legislative council, the upper house, are on the verge of retirement, subject to re-election.

A curious feature of the ensuing elections in June is the constraint of facing the election for among them. V R Sudarshan, the chairman of the council, has to contest to retain his post. Similarly, higher education minister D H Shankaramurthy, science and IT minister Ramachandre Gowda (both of BJP) and newly-appointed chief whip Vithal Herur of JDS have to contest to hold on to their positions.

Those retiring on June 17:

V R Sudarshan, K C Kondaiah, former Kundapur MLA Winnifred Fernandes, former minister Nafiza Fazal. Karianna H Sangati, M Krishnappa, Jalaja Nayak, Marutirao D Male, Qazi Arshad Ali (all of Congress), Vimala Gowda of the BJP and Vithal Herur of JDS.

On June 21, the tenure of ministers Shankaramurthy and Ramachandre Gowda, Balakrishna Bhat of BJP and Maritibbe Gowda of Congress will expire. Elections from the graduates' and teachers' constituencies are due the same month.

out of the 15 seats falling vacant, 11 will be replaced by election from the assembly members' constituency and two each from teachers' and graduates' constituencies.

Besides, the seats held in the past by three nominated members - senior journalist P Ramaiah, S D Karpurimath and former minister K H Srinivas have remained vacant ever since July 27, 2004. Apart from these, the seat lying vacant since the death of BJP leader Dr M R Tanga too has to be filled. 

Party structure

The current party strength pattern is as follows:
Congress 45
BJP 9
JDS 11
JD(U) 3
Independents 2

With the recent changes in the political equations and formation of the JDS-BJP coalition government in the state, the situation is expected to give a totally new complexion to the party positions in the legislative council.