With the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers for Nanjangud and Gundlupet by-polls ending yesterday, the stage is set for the by-poll with 11 candidates remaining in fray in Nanjangud and 7 candidates in Gundlupet.

A total of 14 candidates had filed their nomination papers for Nanjangud (SC) by-poll while the nomination of two of the candidates, R. Renuka and Shivappa, were rejected during scrutiny of papers on Mar.22, Mallanna, who had filed nominations as an Independent, withdrew his nomination on the last day yesterday, thus leaving 11 candidates in the fray.

The constituency is witnessing a tough battle between V. Sreenivasa Prasad of the BJP and Kalale Keshavamurthy of the Congress. The other candidates remaining in the fray are: M. Pradeep Kumar of Karunadu party, G. Anand, D. Eshwar Swabhimani, Gurulingaiah, D.K. Tulasappa, R. Prasanna Golur, B.S. Mahadevaswamy, Subbaiah and H.P. Sheshanna, all Independents.

Gundlupet by-poll: There are 7 candidates remaining in the fray for Gundlupet by-poll.

On the last day for withdrawal of nominations yesterday, P.S. Yedurappa and P.C. Shekar Raj, who had filed nominations as Independent candidates withdrew their nominations. The candidates remaining in the fray are C.S. Niranjan Kumar of the BJP, M.C. Mohankumari (Geetha Mahadevaprasad) of the Congress, M. Shivaraju of Republic Party of India, M. Honnuraiah  of Bharatiya Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Janata party and B. Mahadevaprasad, M. Shivaramu and K. Somashekar, all Independents.

The polling in both the constituencies will be held on April 9 and the counting of votes will be taken upon April 13.

The Nanjangud by-poll was necessitated following the resignation of V. Sreenivasa Prasad, while the Gundlupet by-poll was necessitated by the demise of Minister H.S. Mahadevaprasad.

The two-constituencies are all set for a bitter battle between BJP and Congress candidates, with both the parties taking the election as a prestigious issue.

Surrender arms: City Police Commissioner Dr. A. Subrahmanyeswara Rao has stated in a press release that as the model code of conduct is in place from Mar.9 to Apr. 15, usage of arms and explosives has been banned. Arms licence-holders are also mandated to surrender their guns in their jurisdictional Police Stations before the elections, the press release added.