CoP

Congress leader Pramod Madhwaraj (in picture) is now the coalition candidate fighting under Janata Dal (Secular) symbol for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru seat. The JD(S), which had no suitable candidate there though the seat came its way as per the seat-sharing formula, has “adopted” him into the party.

But how will he ensure that both his traditional Congress supporters and those sympathetic to the JD(S) recognise him as the consensus candidate and vote for him? And how will he ensure his association with the JD(S) symbol is established within a short span of time?

Mr. Madhwaraj seems to have found an answer to this. These days, wherever he goes, he sports a shawl that has the symbols of both parties alternatively displayed on it. “The Congress and the JD(S) will mix with one another like milk and honey. I will wear this shawl till April 18, the day of polling,” he said.

In the next few days, Umesh Jadhav (in picture), BJP candidate for the Kalaburagi constituency, will be facing an acid test on two fronts. His first trial will be before Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar on Monday. The Speaker had issued a notice to Mr. Jadhav following the latter’s resignation from the Legislative Assembly after parting ways with the Congress. Accepting or rejecting the resignation is the Speaker’s discretion, and the decision of Mr. Kumar, who won on Congress ticket, will decide Mr. Jadhav’s next move.

His second trial will be in the people’s court. The BJP has fielded him against a formidable Congress candidate — M. Mallikarjun Kharge — who has never tasted defeat either in the Assembly or Lok Sabha elections in a career spanning over four decades.

Minister for Public Works H.D. Revanna (in picture) consults his trusted astrologers before starting any venture. He is particular about the time he inaugurates any programme.

This has made officials of Hassan district administration also check the almanac for Rahu Kala, Yamaganda Kala and Gulika Kala on a daily basis. The officials know that no programme or meeting can start during Rahu Kala, and so there is no point scheduling any engagement for that time.

For his son Prajwal to file his nomination papers for the Hassan Lok Sabha election, Mr. Revanna had fixed the timing between 12.05 p.m. and 12.40 p.m. on Friday.

Even as he reached the Deputy Commissioner’s office to file the papers, he was seen in conversation with someone over the phone about the “best” timing options.

The candidate got inside the returning officer’s room by 12.20 p.m. and submitted his papers by 12.35 p.m.

Again, at 2.30 p.m. on the same day, he submitted a second set of papers, apparently on the advice of an astrologer, sources said.