Council bypoll: DVS to file papers on Monday

BANGALORE: Armed with solid backing of the party high command, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda is all set to file nominations for the crucial council by-election on Monday. Gowda will file his papers at 10.45 am on Monday and he is expected to be accompanied by his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa, state BJP president K S Eshwarappa and other senior Cabinet ministers in a show of ‘solidarity’ to brush aside reports of groupism in the party.“I will win this election. My party leaders and MLAs are with me,” he told reporters on Sunday on the sidelines of a function. Monday is the last date for filing nominations and the election will be held on December 22.Meanwhile, the principal Opposition Congress, which is hoping to scuttle Gowda’s chances with the help of JD(S) and Sriramulu group, is yet to finalise its candidate.According to sources, the party was in two minds, even though it had shortlisted five names, including former minister S S Mallikarjun, Anandswamy Gaddadevaramath, son of the former MLA, and a businessman from Gadag.Though, Madhusudhan Mistry, AICC incharge of Karnataka, held talks with party president Sonia Gandhi late Sunday night, no final decision had materialised.Going by the strength of the BJP in the Assembly, it should not be a problem for Gowda to sail through.But the speculations about Yeddyurappa’s efforts to come back to power and supporters of Sriramulu backing the Opposition candidate have made this election more tensed and curious.While BJP has 122 Members (including the Speaker, nominated Member and three suspended MLAs) in the 224-Member Assembly, the Congress has 71, JD(S) 26 and six Independents (including Sriramulu) Members.Even if the Congress, JD(S), Independents and suspended members unite, they will fall short of at least eight votes to upset Gowda, who has to win this election to continue in office.Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa, spiking all speculations, sprang a surprise by indulging in garnering support for Gowda.He personally called on former prime minister H D Devegowda, Opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G Parameshwar over phone and requested them not to field any candidate. However, the leaders have not given any assurance, as the Congress goes by the diktat of its high command.On Sunday, Sriramulu had declared that he would vote against the BJP, while the Independents have reportedly assured to support the Congress nominee.But, the JD(S) hasn’t committed to anything yet.