Congress names observers for 17 assembly seats for bypolls

The Congress in Karnataka Friday announced observers for 17 assembly constituencies represented by disqualified MLAs to strengthen the party ahead of the impending byelections.

The party issued a press release giving the list of observers for the constituencies -- Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Maski, Yellapur, Hirekerur, Ranebennur, Vijayanagara, Chikkaballapura, KR Puram, Yashwantpur, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Hoskote, Shivajinagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, KR Pet and Hunsur.

The 17 MLAs of Congress and JDS were disqualified by the assembly speaker K R Ramesh Kumar after their rebellion led to the collapse of their coalition government last month.

The MLAs had tendered their resignations, but the Speaker rejected them as not voluntary and disqualified them under the anti-defection law. They have moved the Supreme Court challenging the speaker's decision.

The party has chosen more than three top state level leaders in each constituency and at places where the rebels hold the sway in a big way, at least five top leaders have been deputed.

Among the high-profile constituencies are Gokak, previously held by Ramesh Jarkiholi, a hardcore rebel, Athani and Maski,