Multi-cornered contest in Koppal likely

KOPPAL: With 19 candidates filing nominations for the byelection to Koppal assembly constituency upto 3 pm on Friday, a multi-cornered contest is expected here.While BJP candidate Karadi Sanganna, flanked by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa, party state president K S Eshwarappa, a host of ministers and a considerable number of supporters took out a procession to file his nomination papers, his main rival and Congress candidate Basavaraj Hitnal did not lag behind.He too carried a huge procession along to file his nomination.However, JD(S) candidate Pradeepagouda Patil kept filing of nomination a comparatively lowprofile affair.Interestingly, the leaders of all three political parties exuded confidence of a victory in the bypoll.The Congress claimed highlighting corruption in the BJP government as their poll plank, even as the BJP maintained development as the main issue of the byelection.However, the clear picture of contestants could emerge only after withdrawal of nominations by 3 pm on September 12.YEDDYURAPPA WILL COME CLEAN ON ALL CHARGES: MP JOSHIHUBLI: BJP state general secretary and MP Prahlad Joshi has said that the recent happenings in the state have certainly dented the image of the party, but the central leadership has chalked out plans to regain the party’s lost glory.Addressing the media, Joshi said former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa was a tall leader of the state party.But it had been decided by the central leadership that party in the state would be led collectively by K S Eshwarappa, H N Ananthkumar, Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar.He termed the setback to the party through the arrest of former minister G Janardhana Reddy was only temporary.The party would fight unitedly the Koppal bypoll to ensure success of party candidate, he added.Joshi refused to comment on alleged attempt by a section of partymen to impose Yeddyurappa’s leadership.The party’s state president had already clarified that the Koppal byelection would be fought under a collective leadership, he said.