Benglauru: Making a headstart for the Legislative Council polls from South Graduates Constituency, that is due to take place in June this year, the JD(S) on Friday officially named H.K. Ramu, a former State President of Karnataka State Government Employees Association, as the party candidate.

The announcement was made at a party meeting held here yesterday, which was attended by JD(S) Supremo and former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy and other top JD(S) leaders.  He replaces sitting MLC from the seat K.T. Srikantegowda, who has opted out of the race this time.

Ramu, a native of Mandya, who had also  served as Mysuru District President of Karnataka Government Employees Association for four terms, outclassed another party hopeful Keelara Jayaram, who had also lobbied hard for the ticket.  While Ramu is a follower of Srikantegowda, Keelara Jayaram is a close confidant of another JD(S) MLC Marithibbegowda.

The South Graduates Constituency comprises four districts — Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajanagar.

Meanwhile, the two other major parties — BJP and Congress are yet to officially announce their candidates.