Amidst the Mayoral poll political activities, Rajini Annaiah of the Congress, who has been declared the party’s candidate for the by-poll from MCC Ward 36 (Yaraganhalli and Ambedkar Colony) scheduled to take place on Sept.3, met Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda who has been elected on a JD(S) ticket, but has stayed away from party activities since about two years, here yesterday and sought his support in the by-poll.

Soon after getting the Congress party B form from Opposition Leader Siddharamaiah on Thursday, Rajani Annaiah is said to have visited the residence of GTD and sought his blessings, which has given rise to speculations on whether the  Chamundeshwari MLA will extend his support to the Congress candidate, instead of the JD(S) candidate in the by-poll.

It may be recalled that GTD, who is also a former Minister having served in the JD(S)-Congress coalition Government, had played a key role in the election of Rukmini Madegowda as a Corporator in the 2018 MCC polls and her husband Madegowda as a ZP member five years ago. Madegowda, who till recently maintained a close contact with GTD, has reportedly stayed away from him following the Feb. Mayoral poll, in which his wife Rukmini was elected the Mayor.

Triangular contest

In the meantime, the by-poll to Ward 36 is likely to witness a triangular fight between the three major political parties. While the Congress has announced Rajini Annaiah as the party candidate, the JD(S) has announced Leelavathi Mahesh, co-sister of Rukmini Madegowda as its candidate. However, the BJP is yet to finalise its candidate. The last date for filing of nomination papers is Aug.23.

The BJP is learnt to announce its candidate after the arrival of Minister S.T. Somashekar today. The MCC Ward 36 seat is reserved for Backward Class-B Category (woman). The BJP fared poorly in the 2018 polls in the Ward, coming a distant third after the JD(S) and Congress. But in a changed political scenario, with the BJP in power in the State, the BJP too will be  a strong contender in the by-election and as such the Ward is touted to witness a keen triangular fight between the three major political parties.