From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 25: Even before the heat and dust from the bitterly fought Lok Sabha elections for Karnataka’s 28 seats in two phases on April 18 and 23 is yet to settle down, the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition parties are busy in thrashing out strategies and selection of candidates for the two assembly by-elections in the state on May 19.
The assembly by-elections are scheduled to be held for Chincholli and Kundagol on May 19.
The former Minister Baburao Chavan, who recently quit BJP and joined the Congress, and former ZP member Subhash Rathod have emerged as the major aspirants for the Congress ticket for contesting by-polls to the State Legislative Assembly seat from Chincholli constituency in Kalaburagi district.
The Congress party is expected to field Kusuma Shivalli, wife of late minister C S Shivalli, for the Kundagol constituency in Dharwad district.
Chavan, who emerged as the top contender for the ticket, returned to the Congress last month and campaigned for the party candidate and veteran party leader Mallikarjuna Kharge.
By-polls in Chincholli is necessitated following the resignation of Umesh Jadhav to the seat. He quit the Congress and contested from Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency on a BJP ticket.
The Kundagol seat became vacant following the death of C S Shivalli.
KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao on Thursday held talks with leaders of the Kalaburagi district and discussed names of winnable candidates in the constituency.
Sources in the Congress said that local candidate Honna Naik is also vying for ticket in the Chincholli constituency.
Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to take a final call in the selection of the candidate in the Chincholli constituency.
In the Kundagol constituency, the party has almost decided to field Kusuma Shivalli, wife of C S Shivallai, who was passed away last month.
The last date for filing nomination is April 29. By-polls in both constituencies is scheduled on May 19.
Counting of votes would take place on May 23, when the counting of Lok Sabha elections will also take place.