Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Dec 5: As expected, the Congress has chosen Pratapchandra Shetty as its candidate for the upcoming MLC polls from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.
Pratapchandra, who is also the sitting MLC, had initially stated that he would not be contesting the MLC polls, but with strong from Congress leaders especially Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes and others, he decided to contest amidst much opposition from his own party workers.
Meanwhile, the party refused to give ticket to former MP Jayaprakash Hegde, who was a strong aspirant for the MLC polls. Sources have confirmed that J P Hegde would now be constesting the polls as an independent candidate, and would be filing his nomination on December 7.
It may be recalled that on Friday December 4, senior Congressman Bhujanga Shetty from Brahmavar openly expressed his disappointment with the party on being given the ticket, and announced that he would be contesting as independent candidate.
The MLC elections will be held on December 27. The last date to file the nomination is December 9.