Karnataka West Graduates poll: Straight fight on the cards

MLC and BJP candidate Professor S.V. Sankanur | Photo Credit: SPECIALARRANGEMENT

The election to Karnataka West Graduates constituency seems to be heading towards a straight fight between an incumbent MLC and an ex-MLC. The two major political parties — BJP and Congress — have fielded candidates. Janata Dal(Secular), an ally of the BJP. has not fielded a candidate.

The incumbent MLC — Professor S.V. Sankanur of BJP — is seeking a third term. He is being challenged by advocate and former MLC Mohan Limbikai, formerly a BJP leader who has been fielded by the Congress.

The Congress leaders have managed to pacify rebel candidate Professor R.M. Kuberappa. He had contested on a Congress ticket in the 2020 election. He was dismayed over being denied the ticket this time. Prof. Kuberappa is also a former BJP leader. Earlier, he had contested twice unsuccessfully on a BJP ticket. In 2016, he turned rebel in Karnataka West Teachers constituency, and then contested on a Congress ticket on a changed turf (Graduates constituency) in 2020.

Basavaraj Gurikar, a functionary of All India Primary Teachers’ Federation (AIPTF), who contested as an independent in the last election, is now in the Congress camp. The CPI(M) has appealed for votes in favour of Mr. Limbikai.

Congress bastion earlier