BJP steps up campaign for S.V. Sankanur in Hubballi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi campaigning for BJP candidate S.V. Sankanur in the election to the Karnataka West Graduates’ constituency, at Hubballi on Saturday (October 3). | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Even as the nomination process is under way and the party nominee is yet to file his nomination papers, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its campaign for its candidate, S.V. Sankanur, in the election to the Karnataka West Graduates’ constituency, with campaign meetings in Hubballi on Saturday (October 3).Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who addressed the meetings held at KLE Auditorium and Rotary School in Adarsh Nagar in Hubballi, appealed to the graduate voters to support Mr. Sankanur, the sitting MLC and BJP candidate. He highlighted the party’s stated focus on education, employment, opportunities for youth and development of the constituency.Mr. Joshi said the BJP-led government at the Centre had been pursuing development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and called upon voters to cast their first-preference vote for Mr. Sankanur.The campaign also saw the participation of Sudhindra Deshpande, who had earlier sought the BJP ticket for the constituency. Mr. Deshpande attended the campaign following the party’s direction and expressed his support for Mr. Sankanur’s candidature.The Karnataka West Graduates’ constituency covers Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Gadag and Uttara Kannada districts. The election to the seat is scheduled for October 23, with counting on October 27. Mr. Sankanur, who has represented the constituency since 2020, has been re-nominated by the BJP. The Congress has fielded former Mohan Limbikai, MLC.The meetings were attended by Mahesh Tenginakai, Hubballi-Dharwad (East) MLA, Lingaraj Patil, MLC, Dharwad Rural BJP unit president Ningappa Sutagatti, senior leaders Shankaranna Munavalli and Raju Kale, besides teachers, party office-bearers and supporters.The campaign comes amid efforts by the BJP and JD(S) to coordinate their campaign for the four Legislative Council constituencies going to polls on October 23. The BJP has fielded candidates in three of the four seats, including Mr. Sankanur in the West Graduates’ constituency, while the JD(S) is contesting the Bengaluru Teachers’ Constituency.Meanwhile, the JD(S) is scheduled to hold a party meeting in Hubballi on Sunday (October 04) in support of BJP candidate S.V. Sankanur.One more nominationG.H. Imrapur filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate for the election to the Karnataka West Graduates’ constituency in the Legislative Council election in Dharwad on Saturday.According to K.M. Janaki, Regional Commissioner, Belagavi Division, and Returning Officer for the constituency, one nomination paper was received on October 3. So far, four candidates have filed nomination papers for the election, including the one filed on October 3.The last date for filing nomination papers is October 6, while scrutiny of nominations will be held on October 7. Candidates can withdraw their nominations till October 9.Polling will be held on October 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 27. The election process is scheduled to be completed by October 31.The Karnataka West Graduates’ constituency comprises Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttara Kannada districts. Published - October 03, 2026 06:50 pm IST