Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 20: Out of 355 nominations received in 15 assembly constituencies where bypoll is being held in the state, 54 nominations have been rejected, said Karnataka State Election Commission.

With this, 301 candidates have remained in the election fray. They include 15 candidates fielded by the BJP, 15 from the Congress, 14 from JD(S), two from Bahujan Samajwadi Party, one from NCP, 46 from different political parties, and 125 independents. Nominations were rejected for various reasons like an improper filling, no suitable enclosures, non-submission of forms A and B etc. The rejected nominations include those of former minister, Satish Jarkiholi from Gokak and K P Bache Gowda who wanted to fight from Chikkaballapur constituency on JD(S) ticket. Both had failed to enclose B form.

Interestingly, Shivalinga Shivacharya Swamiji of Kabinakanthi Math who had filed nomination from Hirekerur constituency, giving rise to a lot of speculations, withdrew his nomination. It is said that he apprehended that electoral politics might interfere with the sanctity of his Math and religion.