Manjunath withdraws from Kolar

G. Manjunath, whose nomination papers were rejected by the Returning Officer of Mulbagal (SC) constituency following a Karnataka High Court verdict in view of a caste certificate row, on Friday withdrew his papers from Kolar seat where he entered the fray as an Independent candidate.

In the meantime, MP K.H. Muniyappa’s second daughter M. Nandini withdrew her papers from Mulbagal seat. She filed papers as an Independent candidate.

The High Court ruled against Mr. Manjunath who was elected as MLA from Mulbagal reserved seat as he contested claiming he belonged to Beda Jangama, a Scheduled Caste community. The court declared that he belongs to the Byragi caste, which is a Backward Caste (Category-1).

The court held that the acceptance of Mr. Manjunath’s nomination papers as well as consequent declaration that he was elected from the constituency was illegal.

With the rejection of papers of Mr. Manjunath, the Congress is bereft of a candidate in Mulbagal seat. It was widely speculated that Ms. Nandini would be the unofficial nominee of the party and Mr. Manjunath may support her there. However that calculation was also went wrong with Ms. Nandini withdrawing apparently due to denial of support by Mr. Manjunath.

Setback in Supreme Court

Mr. Manjunath suffered another setback as the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to give an interim stay to the High Court ruling.

Mr. Muniyappa came in for sharp criticism from Dalit outfits and other quarters for fielding his two daughters from two constituencies in the district.

His first daughter M. Roopakala is the Congress nominee in KGF (SC) seat.