From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 12: With coalition partner JD(S) declining to take the offer of fielding its candidate from Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency in the ensuing November 3 by-election against state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa’s son B Y Raghavendra, the Congress party has finally decided to enter the fray.

The Congress candidate in the by polls to the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency will be finalised in a day or two, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao said.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Dinesh Gundu Rao said the party has strong support at the ground-level in the constituency.

There would be a straight fight between the Congress and the BJP in the constituency, he said.

The Congress has listed names of two candidates - former minister Kimmane Ratnakar and former CADA chairman Sundaresh.

The former minister Kimmane Ratnakar had declined to contest the elections against BJP candidate B Y Raghavendra, son of the former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Sources said former JD(S) MLA Madhu Bangarappa has not shown interest in contesting polls as the Congress party was believed to be in favour of offering the seat to its coalition partner.