BANGALORE: With less than a month remaining for the by-election to Gandhinagar ward, political parties have started identifying suitable candidates. The list of aspirants from each party is growing every day. The State Election Commission on Tuesday notified February 26 as the poll date for the by-election.
The Gandhinagar ward seat has been lying vacant for the past four months following the murder of sitting councillor Nataraj in October 2011. Now the rumour is that his wife N Devika is one among the aspirants. According to Congress sources, other aspirants from the party include Raghu, a senior party man who also served as Block Congress president in Gandhinagar, and party worker Naveen.
Okalipuram councillor Queen Elizabeth’s husband Chakravarthi is also interested in participating. Gandhinagar which has been dominated by the Congress for many years is a prestigious one for the party. When contacted, Chakravarthi said he was willing to contest and had even approached the concerned office-bearers.
BBMP Opposition leader M Udayshankar said there was a meeting with Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday at Gandhinagar Congress office, where he and other office-bearers might decide the candidate. BBMP JD(S) Leader Padmanabha Reddy said there were at least seven aspirants to contest from the JD(S), including comedian Bullet Prakash. The party will decide the candidate in another two days. Prakash confirmed the speculation.
JD(S) sources said the ticket might be given to Nandini Gowda, a party worker associated with Malleshwaram JD(S) unit.