Siddaramaiah files papers from second seat, nomination ends

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah filed his nomination from a second constituency, Badami in north Karnataka, as the deadline for entering the fray for the May 12 assembly polls ended today with a total of over 3,900 nominations submitted since the process was initiated.

As the curtains came down, there was a last day rush with over 1,730 nominations filed today, according to state electoral authorities.

Over 3,925 nominations had been filed for 224 assembly seats, the authorities said.

Scrutiny would be taken up tomorrow and the last day for withdrawal of candidature is April 27.

Siddaramaiah filed his papers from Badami in Bagalkot district in north Karnataka.

Seeking to turn the poll battle fiercer, the BJP fielded party Lok Sabha member and Scheduled Tribe leader B Sriramulu, who also filed his papers from Badami, making it his second constituency.

Siddaramaiah has already filed his nomination from Chamundeshwari in Mysuru and Sriramulu from Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district.

The chief minister's nomination from Badami came after days of speculation on whether he would be contesting from a second constituency.

Siddaramaiah after reaching Badami, the regal capital of erstwhile Chalukya dynasty which ruled between the 6th and the 12th centuries, offered prayers at the Banashankari temple and held a roadshow before filing his nomination.

The chief minister was accompanied by Congress working president S R Patil and sitting MLA Chimmanakatti, among others, as he filed his papers.

Speaking to reporters at Badami, Siddaramaiah maintained he was under pressure from local party leaders in Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts to contest from Badami, as it would 'benefit' the Congress' prospects in the region.

He said "there was also pressure on the high command. As the high command directed me to contest from north Karnataka, I'm contesting from here."
Stating that he was contesting from Badami on the orders of the high command, Sriramulu said "our only intention" is BJP's win and to make Yeddyurappa Chief Minister."