Karnataka: Elections to four MLC seats today, BJP eyes majority

BENGALURU: In what is a crucial test for the ruling BJP to wrest control of the upper house, polling in the two teachers’ and graduates’ constituencies each will commence from 8am on Monday.
While a dozen candidates are in the fray in Northwest Teachers’ constituency, 11 have thrown their hats in the ring in Northwest Graduates’ seat. The highest number of candidates in the fray are in the South Graduates’ constituency with 19 aspirants.

Basavaraj Horatti, former council chairman and seventime MLC, who switched from JD(S) to BJP, is the most prominent of those in the fray, while Arun Shahpur and Hanumat Nirani are the others from the ruling party who are trying to retain their seats.
Prakash Hukkeri, former MP, MLA and minister, is the most prominent face of Congress. He is vying for a seat in the council – for the first time – from Northwest Teachers’ constituency.
Monday’s polls will see a triangular fight in South Graduates’ segment between MV Ravishankar of BJP, HK Ramu of JD(S) and Madhu Madegowda of Congress.
All three are focusing on voters from Mandya for different reasons. While JD(S) and Congress candidates hail from Mandya and are banking on the support from their native voters, BJP, is seeking to make inroads in the Vokkaliga heartland ahead of the assembly polls and is banking on Ravishankar to deliver the district to the party. Except for South Graduates’ constituency, the other three seats fall under Belagavi region