Bangalore: The electoral battle is getting tougher for Union Petroleum and Environment Minister M Veerappa Moily in Chikballapur Lok Sabha seat. According to media reports and the JDS sources former chief minister and the JDS stalwart HD Kumaraswamy has decided to take on Moily in the elections. Earlier, he was planning to field his wife Anitha Kumaraswamy against Moily.

Chikballapur which is in the north of Bangalore is a Vokkaliga dominated seat and the JDS has a strong presence here. The BJP has also fielded a local strongman and former minister BN Bachche Gowda from Chikballapur.

The AAP has fielded a retired DIG of the CRPF Arkesh against Moily. The AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had visited Chikballapur to campaign against Moily on Sunday.

Kumarawamy’s father and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda is contesting from family pocket borough of Hassan. Gowda is contesting in his 15th direct election in the last 52 years. He has won 13 elections.