After state polls, all eyes on Karnataka bypolls

Bengaluru: With the curtains set to fall on the five state Assembly polls in the country in about a week, it looks like the by-poll fever is catching up in the two assembly constituencies - Nanjangud and Gundlupet - in the state.

The Election Commission is  likely to hold by-elections to these seats in the first week of April. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior official in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the Election Commission generally issues the poll notification in New Delhi itself and in all probability, the EC must be waiting to finish work on the elections in five states.

"Actually we were hoping that the EC might announce dates for  the by-polls to the two constituencies along with the recently concluded elections to a lone seat in the Legislative Council, that was necessitated  due to the resignation of  Y. A. Narayanswamy, who had contested in Hebbal on a BJP ticket last year. Since, this has not happened, the EC is likely to announce dates in the next couple of days, as former minister, V. Srinivasprasad had quit in last October as MLA," the source added.

The source further claimed that the electoral rules suggest that the EC needs to complete the procedure of elections within six months of any elected member resigning provided at least a year's term remains.

"In Mr Srinvasprasad's case both  these rules apply as the six-month duration will be completed on April 19 and before this date approaches, the EC will be completing the process of electing a new representative as there will be technically still a year's term left. Hence, the EC might announce the dates for the by-election to both seats in a matter of a couple of days," the source explained.

The Nanjangud seat fell vacant after former revenue minister Srinivasprasad quit the Assembly and the Congress angry over his dropping from the state cabinet. The veteran Dalit leader later joined the BJP and is its candidate for the seat.

The Gundlupet Assembly seat fell vacant after former co-operation minister Mahadevprasad passed away.