On the final day, 21 sets of nominations were filed for the West Graduates’ constituency; BJP is a show of strength; In all 18 candidates submitted 36 sets

BJP candidate SV Sankanur along with party leaders and workers participate in a procession to file nomination papers for the Karnataka West Graduates’ constituency election in Dharwad on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

As many as 21 sets of nomination papers were filed on Tuesday, the last day for filing nomination papers for the Karnataka West Graduates’ Legislative Council constituency elections, taking the total number of nomination papers filed so far by 18 candidates to 36.

According to a statement issued by KM Janaki, regional commissioner, Belagavi division and returning officer for elections, those who filed their nomination papers before the deadline on Tuesday were BJP candidate SV Sankanur, Nishant Bankapur of Karnataka Rashtra Samithi, Shivakumar Talawar of Janata Chaluvali Bharata Party, Kartana Kitatura Channa Party, Kartana Kitunad Channa Party. independent candidates Basavaraj Kotagi, Zeeshan Ahmed Khan Pathan, Kanthakumar, Santosh Vernekar, Umesh Daivajna, Krishna, Zeeshan Sirasangi, Abdul Munnan, Imran Kudal, RM Kuberappa, Saleem Jawali and Suresh S. Bistanagoudar.

BJP is a show of strength

On Tuesday, Mr. Sankanur submitted his nomination papers to a large number of party workers and leaders who participated in a pre-filing procession.

Mr. Sankanur offered prayers at the Ulavi Channabasaveshwar temple before joining the procession to the Deputy Commissioner’s office where he submitted his nomination papers.

Union minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP state president BY Vijayendra, former chief ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, former Legislative Council chairman Basavaraj Horatti, former minister CC Patil and MLAs Aravind Bellad and Amrut Desai were among those who attended the nomination. The parade, which was attended by a large number of BJP workers and supporters, was seen as a show of strength for the party ahead of the elections.

BJP leaders and workers expressed confidence that Mr. Sankanur would be easily elected for the third time in a row.

Congress rebel

Meanwhile, RM Kuberappa, who unsuccessfully contested as a Congress candidate in 2020, filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate, claiming to be an “AHINDA candidate”. After twice unsuccessfully contesting as a BJP candidate from the Karnataka West Teachers’ Constituency, Mr. Kuberappa rebelled against the party in 2016. He subsequently joined the Congress to contest as the party’s candidate in the Karnataka West Graduates’ Constituencies. Now, after being denied the Congress ticket, he is back as an independent candidate.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 7 October, with candidates having until 9 October to withdraw their nominations. The poll will be held on October 23 and counting on October 27 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The election process will end on October 31.

Karnataka West Graduate Constituency includes Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttara Kannada districts.

Published – 06 Oct 2026 20:38 IST