Mangalore : February 29 (today) is the last day for filing the nomination for Udupi-Chikkamagalur by-elections due on March 19, and Congress (Jaipraksh Hegde), JD-s (Bhoje Gowda), and BJP (V. Sunil Kumar) are the main contenders.

While Yeddyurappa may not campaign for BJP, all other state leaders will be in full strength to do so as also in Congress, as well as JD-s at the state level.

Congress is hell bent in trying to win this by-poll to Lok Sabha, and project it as a new portender for next General elections, which it is otherwise likely to lose, in view of scandals it carries like a cross for crucifixion in Delhi in 2013.

From 1951 to 1967 (16  years) Chikkamagalur voting area was part of Hassan constituency. It was separated in 1971, and won by PSP candidate M. Hutchegowda.

It was merged in Udupi, in 2009, when DV Sadananda Gowda (now CM) won the combined seat. Earlier BJP’s D.C. Shrikanthappa (late) was last candidate in separation.

D.B. Chandregowda, a congress candidate elected twice a MP from Chikkamagalur, later in 2009 turned to BJP, and won the Bangalore seat (north).

There are over 12.25 lakh voters in Udupi –Chikkamagalur constituency now. DVS got 4.01 lakh cotes out of 8.35l votes out of 8.35l votes cast in 2009.