165 candidates in fray for Dec 5 by-polls in Karnataka

A total of 165 candidates are in the fray for December 5 by-polls to 15 assembly constituencies in Karnataka, poll officials said on Thursday.

Among 165 contesting candidates, 156 are men and 9 women.

While Shivajinagar with 19 has the highest number of candidates in the fray, followed by Hoskote with 17; least number of candidates 7 each are in K R Pete and Yellapura.

Fifty-three out of total 218 validly nominated candidates have withdrawn their nominations till Thursday, the last day to do so, with highest number of 11 withdrawals in Hunsur constituency.

Among the major political parties in the state, BJP and Congress have 15 candidates each in the fray, and number of JD(S) candidates was 12.

JDS candidate from Athani constituency- Gurappa Shivaning Dashyal and Shivalinga Shivacharya Swamigalu (a swamiji) from Hirekerur, withdrew their candidature.

JD(S) is supporting BJP rebel and independent candidate Sharath Bachegowda in Hoskote by not fielding its candidate.

Meanwhile, BJP on Thursday expelled from its primary membership rebels Sharath Bachegowda along with Kaviraj Urs (Vijayanagara), who are contesting December five bypolls as independent candidates, for "anti-party activity."