Mysuru: It was edge-of-the seat suspense over JD (S) candidate for KR Pet Assembly constituency which drew to an end in the evening with legislator Narayana Gowda securing the go-ahead from Returning Officer, Shivanna, after scrutiny of nomination papers on Wednesday.
The suspense over whether Mr Narayana Gowda or zilla panchayat member Devraj would enter the fray as JD (S) nominee was triggered by confusion among top leaders of the party about selection of candidates at the 11th hour on Monday, the last day for handing in nomination papers.
These leaders first issued the "B" form to Mr Narayana Gowda and later handed a "C" form to Mr Devraj in view of pressure from local party workers, a move which meant the latter would contest as the party nominee. Hours later, the leaders changed their mind again and issued another "C" form to Mr Narayana Gowda, announcing his as the party nominee.
When both candidates submitted "C" forms, the Returning Officer was in a fix on whom to list as JD (S) candidate. The suspense ended with Mr Narayana Gowda's "B" form helping decide in his favour. Mr Devraj would remain in the contest as an independent, according to Mr Shivanna.
The decision on Mr Narayana Gowda was taken after the claims and counter claims were referred to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Bengaluru.
