21 sets of nominations filed for West Graduates’ Constituency poll on last day; BJP’s show of strength; In all 18 candidates, filed 36 sets

BJP candidate S.V. Sankanur, along with leaders and party workers, taking part in a procession to file nomination papers to the election to Karnataka West Graduates’ Constituency 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 election to Karnataka West Graduates’ Constituency of Karnataka Legislative Council, taking the total number of nomination papers filed so far to 36 by 18 candidates.According to a release issued by K.M. Janaki, Regional Commissioner, Belagavi Division, and Returning Officer for the election, those filed nomination papers before the deadline ended on Tuesday were BJP candidate S.V. Sankanur, Nishant Bankapur of Karnataka Rashtra Samithi Party, Shivakumar Talawar of Janata Chaluvali Bharata Party, Mallikarjun Channappa Gangadhar of Kittur Kalyana Karnataka Sena Party, independent candidates Basavaraj Kotagi, Zeeshan Ahmed Khan Pathan, Kanthakumar, Santosh Vernekar, Umesh Daivajna, Krishna, Zeeshan Sirasangi, Abdul Munnan, Imran Kudal, R.M. Kuberappa, Saleem Jawali and Suresh S. Bistanagoudar.BJP’s show of strengthOn Tuesday, Mr. Sankanur filed his nomination papers with a large number of party workers and leaders participating in a procession organised ahead of the filing.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 B.Y. Vijayendra, former Chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, former Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, former Minister C.C. Patil and MLAs Aravind Bellad and Amrut Desai were among those who participated in the nomination filing. The procession, attended by a large number of BJP workers and supporters, was seen as a show of strength by the party ahead of the election.The BJP leaders and workers expressed confidence that Mr. Sankanur would get elected easily for the third time in succession.Congress rebelMeanwhile R.M. Kuberappa who contested unsuccessfully as Congress candidate in 2020 has filed his nomination papers as independent candidate claiming to be an ‘AHINDA candidate’. After having contested twice unsuccessfully as BJP candidate from Karnataka West Teachers’ Constituency, Mr. Kuberappa had rebelled against the party to contest in 2016. Subsequently, he joined Congress to contest as party candidate in the election Karnataka West Graduates’ Constituency in 2020. Now after being denied Congress ticket, he is back as an independent candidate.The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on October 7, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 9. Polling will be held on October 23 and counting on October 27 at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The election process will conclude on October 31.The Karnataka West Graduates’ Constituency comprises Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttara Kannada districts. Published - October 06, 2026 08:38 pm IST