As many as 235 candidates withdraw from contest in 3rd phase

Bangalore, May 7 (UNI) As many as 555 candidates including former Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh, KPCC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, BJP leader Jagadish Shettar remained in the fray after withdrawal of nomination papers ended today for the third phase assembly elections on May 22.

According to official sources, 187 cadidates including Sathish Jarakiholi (Cong) were remained in the fray after withdrawal of 63 nominees in Belgaum District for 18 assembly seats.

In Gulbarga District as many as 128 candidates including Mr Singh, Mr Kharge (both Cong) and Mr Revunaik Belamagi (BJP) were remained in the fray for 13 assembly seats. As many as 46 candidates majority of them independents withdrew their nominations.

In Gadag 35 candidates including Congress leader H K Patil were left in the fray after withdrawal by 12 candidates for 4 assembly seats in the district. In Dharwar 83 candidates will contest for 7 assembly seats as 40 contestants have withdrawn.

In Bagalkot district as many as 53 candidates remained in fray including Lok Sabha member Basavaraj Patil Yathnnal (BJP) and former Union Minister Siddu Nyamagouda (Cong), after withdrawal of 19 candidates from the contest for 7 assembly seats.

In Haveri district 69 contestants are in the fray for 6 assembly seats after withdrawal by as many as 55 candidates. The details from Bidar and Bijapur districts are yet to be received, the sources said.

The elections will be held on May 22 for 69 assembly seats in Eight Northern Karnataka Districts.

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