Two sitting BJP MPs, actor Prakash Raj and Gowda's grandson enter LS fray

BENGALURU: JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna, multi-lingual actor Prakash Raj and two sitting BJP MPs PC Mohan and Shobha Karandlaje were among 35 candidates who filed their nominations in Karnataka on Friday for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the state.


A total of 38 nominations have been received from 35 candidates on Friday, poll officials said, adding that cumulative nominations filed so far stands at 83 from 72 candidates.

While Prajwal Revanna filed his nomination from the family turf Hassan, Karandlaje filed her papers from Udupi-Chikmagalur and P C Mohan and Prakash Raj from Bangalore Central.

Marking the entry of the third generation of the Gowda family into electoral politics, Prajwal, son of PWD minister H D Revanna filed nomination in the presence of his father, uncle and chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and mother Bhavani Revanna, a zilla panchayat member in Hassan.

Prajwal was on a temple visiting spree ahead of his filing nomination as the Gowda family, especially minister Revanna,is known for their strong belief in

astrology

and religious traditions.

After filing his nomination, Prajwal along with Kumaraswamy, addressed a huge gathering of supporters and public in Hassan.

Prajwal, who is the joint candidate of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, will take on BJP's A Manju.

Manju joined BJP on Sunday, unhappy with Congress' decision to cede Hassan seat to its coalition partner JD(S).

Manju was earlier with BJP before joining Congress and becoming Minister in the previous Siddaramaiah led government and again returning to the saffron party.

Shobha Karandlaje filed her nomination from Udupi-Chikmagalur in the presence of party local leaders, including former minister Jeevraj.

Despite resentment locally, BJP had announced her ticket on Thursday.

P C Mohan filed his nomination from Bangalore Central in the presence of senior BJP MLAs R Ashok, Suresh Kumar and Arvind Limbavali.

Prakash Raj, known as a staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, will take on Mohan, as an independent candidate from Bangalore Central.

AAP has extended its support to Raj in Bangalore Central.

While BJP has announced its list of 21 candidates, Congress and JD(S) who have entered into a seat sharing of 20 and 8 seats respectively, are yet to finalise their list.

Karnataka will go for the polls in two phases, 14 constituencies each, on April 18 and 23.

While the last date for filing of nominations for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls is on March 26, scrutiny will take place on March 27.

The last date for withdrawal is March 29.

For the second phase polls on April 23, notification will be issued on March 28.

The last date for nomination is April 4.

Scrutiny will take place on April 5 and the last day for withdrawal is April 8.

Counting of votes and announcement of results for both phases will be on May 23.