Shimoga: The entry of former minister and Independent candidate Goolihatti Shekhar has upset the calculations of the BJP and Congress, the two major parties in the fray for the Shikaripur assembly bypoll.
Mr Shekhar had tried to contest on a JD(S) ticket but changed his decision after the latter stayed away from the poll battle. Now he is set to challenge both national parties in the by-election.
There are a total eight candidates in the fray after the withdrawal of nominations ended on August 6. Along with Mr B.Y. Raghavendra of BJP, Mr H.S.Shantaveerappa Gowda of Congress and Mr Shekhar, the other candidates in the fray are Sakalesh Hulmar of KJP and Jameeruddin of National Development Party, Mr Yuvaraj of Republican Party and Mr Arun and Mr D.S. Eshwarappa, both independents.
Sources in the BJP camp feel that the entry of the former minister into the fray would be an advantage to both parties as it will help them to gain their traditional votes easily. Mr Shekhar is eyeing the youth and backward class votes but could also take away the JD(S) votes as the latter is not contesting. With the Congress eyeing the JD(S) vote, the votes of Mr Deve Gowda’s party might get split between the Congress and Mr Shekhar, said sources.
When asked about Mr Shekhar’s impact, sources in the Congress camp said that the party was not bothered about its opponents and was concentrating on its strategy.
His entry will not affect the prospects of Congress candidate Shantaveerappa Gowda, they asserted.
