Bengaluru: The nomination process for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka begins today, with the notification for the election of 14 constituencies set to be released on Friday.
In Kalaburagi reserve constituency, Congress’s Radhakrishna Doddamani is expected to file nomination papers on the first day, with AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge, KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar, and others in attendance. E. Tukaram will also file his nomination in the Bellary reserved constituency on Friday.
Prominent candidates in the second phase include former CMs Jagdish Shettar in Belagavi, Basavaraj Bommai in Haveri Constituency, and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in Dharwad Constituency, all representing the BJP.
Voting in the second phase will be held in constituencies such as Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Davanagere, Kalyana, and Kittur. The BJP-JDS alliance has shared constituencies, with no constituencies ceded to JDS in the second phase, leading to direct competition between Congress and BJP in all 14 constituencies. However, there is a possibility of a three-way contest if candidates who have shown rebellion in four constituencies file their nomination papers.
The ruling Congress in the state and the ruling BJP at the centre consider this election a matter of prestige, especially in constituencies like Shivaogga and Dharwad for BJP, and Bagalkote and Davangere for Congress.
Phase 2 Constituencies:
Chikkodi, Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davangere, and Shivamogga.
Rlection Schedule:
– April 12 – Notification
– April 19 – Last day for submission of nomination papers
– April 20 – Scrutiny of nomination papers
– April 22 – Last day to withdraw nomination papers
– May 7 – Voting
– June 4 – Counting of votes
Surpur By-election:
The notification for the by-election of Surpura ST reserved constituency will also be released on Friday (A.12), with the General Election 2nd phase schedule in the state applicable for this by-election.
