Koppal by-poll likely in September first week

BANGALORE: The new government, which would be formed in the state following the resignation of B S Yeddyurappa from the post of Chief Minister, has to face the first political acid test within one month as the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to announce by-elections to the Koppal Assembly seat.The constituency fell vacant following the resignation of the sitting JD(S) member, Karadi Sanganna, who had switched over to the BJP in March this year.According to the State Electoral Office here, preliminary arrangements are being made to fill the vacancy to the state Assembly and the officials are awaiting intimation from the Chief Election Commission of India.Karadi Sanganna had quit the Assembly and the party on March 3, 2011, and the ECI has to hold by-elections to the vacant Assembly seat within six months. A notification to this effect was likely to be issued before August 10, an official from the State Electoral Office told Express.It may be worthwhile to note that Sanganna, the JD(S) member, had quit his Assembly seat after being ‘caught’ during the ‘Operation Lotus’ by the ruling BJP, and was appointed as chairman of the Small-Scale Industries Development Corporation after joining the saffron party.BJP sources told Express that Karadi Sanganna would be the party candidate in the by-election which is likely to be held in the first week of September, 2011.