By NNN-PTI,
Bangalore, India : Polling for eight constituencies in the by-elections to the Karnataka Assembly began today.
Around 9,500 security personnel have been deployed at Hukkeri, Arabhavi, Devadurga, Karwar, Turuvekere, Madhugiri, Doddaballapur and Maddur constituencies where polling began at 7 am.
Fate of 73 candidates, including state Ministers Balachandra Jarakiholi, Anand Asnotikar, K Shivanagowda Naik, Umesh Katti and Anita, wife of former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, making her debut into poll politics, would be decided in the by-polls.
Widow of JD(S) leader M S Siddaraju, whose death caused the by-election in Maddur, is banking upon the sympathy factor for her maiden entry into the state assembly in this constituency in Cauvery heartland.
The by-elections were necessitated due to defections by seven MLAs — three Congress and four JDS — to the BJP and the death of Siddaraju.
The other notables whose poll furtunes would be decided by the 13.69 lakh electorate include former minister C Chennigappa in Madhugiri, who is taking on Anita, Congress MP R L Jalappa’s son J Narasimhaswamy in Doddaballapur and D C Thammanna.
Counting of votes will be taken up on December 30.
The Election Commission was forced to deploy two EVMs in Madhugiri where 25 candidates are contesting.
The by-polls will witness a triangular fight between the ruling BJP, opposition Congress and JD(S).