Congress releases final list, No ticket for Mehul Choksi’s lawyer, CM to contest from Badami

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, April 22, 2018: The Congress on Sunday announced a list of 11 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections 2018. The list was released by AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik.

The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will contest from two constituencies - Chamundeshwari and Badami, his son Dr Yatheendra will contest from Varuna constituency in upcoming Legislative Assembly polls.

The notable inclusions include NA Haris, whose candidature was earlier in doubt over an assault case against his son, from Shanthi Nagar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Badami seat. HS Chandramouli has been replaced with KP Chandralekha in Madikeri after the controversy over the former’s legal services to Mehul Choksi, the uncle of PNB scam accused Nirav Modi.

Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single phase on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15. VVPAT machines, apart from EVMs, will be deployed in Karnataka for the polls.

The date of notification is April 17 and the last date to file nominations is April 24. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 25 and the last day for withdrawal is April 27.

The 224-member Assembly expires on May 28 in the state where the Congress is currently in power, with 122 seats against the BJP’s 43. Karnataka is one of the eight states where polls were scheduled this year.

While Siddaramaiah-led Congress is eyeing a second term in the state, BJP wants to spread its wings to the 22nd state.