Electoral authorities have made arrangements for the conduct of by-election in three Assembly constituencies of Jagalur, Chennapatna and Bangarpet in Karnataka tomorrow, for which the police have thrown a tight security cover.

An estimated 4.93 lakh strong electorate is expected to decide the poll prospects of 33 candidates.

Authorities have set up 694 polling stations for the voting, which will be held between 8 am and 5 pm, Mr Manoj, Special Officer (Elections), Karnataka Chief Office, said.

Defection

The by-poll was forced on these constituencies following defection of Congress and JD (S) MLAs to the ruling BJP, whose numerical strength in the Assembly had shrunk after eleven of its rebels and five independents supporting the B.S. Yeddyurappa Government withdrew support in October last.

While Mr M.C. Ashwath of the JD (S) quit his party and Assembly membership in Chennapatna Constituency, Mr S.V. Ramachandra and Mr M. Narayanaswamy of the Congress resigned their Jagalur (ST) and Bangarpet (SC) seats to defect to the BJP.

Chennapatna

Interestingly, the Chennapatna constituency is facing election for the third time since 2008. Mr C.P. Yogeshwar, who was elected on a Congress ticket, but defected to the BJP in 2009, lost to the JDS candidate, Mr Ashwath, in the by-election. However, Mr Ashwath also crossed over to the BJP, leading to another by- poll.

The BJP has fielded Mr Yogeshwar in Chennapatna after Mr Ashwath refused to take the plunge into the electoral battle.

Mr Narayanaswamy and Mr Ramachandra in Bangarpet and Jagalur are seeking relection on BJP tickets.

Counting on May 13

While the Congress and the JD (S) have been pulling out all stops to defeat BJP candidates appealing to the electorate “not to encourage defectors” and teach BJP a lesson, the ruling party is seeking votes on the twin planks of government stability and development.

The counting will be taken up on May 13.

Chennapatna has the highest number of 15 aspirants, followed by ten in Bangarpet and eight in Jagalur.

Jagalur has a total electorate of 1,52,204, Bangarpet 1,53,609 and Chennapatna 1,87,803.

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