Cong, JD(S) to fight it out in bypoll for ward 36

Mysuru: The bypoll to Mysuru City Corporation ward 36 (Yaraganahalli), scheduled for September 3, is likely to see a tough fight between Congress and JD(S). While opposition leader Siddaramaiah is focused on winning this ward, JD(S) has suffered a setback with the Congress candidate meeting disgruntled JD(S) MLA G T Devegowda and seeking his blessings.
JD(S) has announced S Leelavathi, who is the sister-in-law of disqualified mayor Rukmini Madegowda, as its candidate. Rajani Annaiah, who contested from Congress from the ward in 2018, had lost to Rukmini [JD(S)] with a thin margin of 393 votes.
Rajani had filed a petition in the Mysuru District Court seeking disqualification of Rukmini citing incorrect declaration of assets while filing the nomination, and also won the case. Even though Rukmini approached the high court, it upheld the verdict of the lower court. By then, Rukmini had become the mayor. Following the verdict, she stepped down from her post.
JD(S) sources said Devegowda had supported JD(S) leader Madegowda in winning the ZP election and also his wife Rukmini in winning the corporation election. But as he remained neutral in the mayor’s election, Madegowda (being loyal to Devegowda) moved closer to him and JD(S) MLA S R Mahesh. He managed to bag the coveted mayor post to his wife Rukmini. This had upset Devegowda, they stated.
Both Rajani and Leelavathi have started campaigning in the ward, and are likely to file their nomination papers on August 23, the last day for doing so.
BJP, which had lost the deposit last time, is yet to finalise its candidate. Sources said there are six aspirants for the party ticket. BJP senior corporator Shivakumar told TOI that district minister S T Somashekar will select and name the candidate on Saturday.
While Congress has teamed up with JD(S), BJP is seeking to lure the latter to rule the MCC for the first time.