Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president B.S. Yeddyurappa is not the only candidate who arrived in a helicopter to Shikaripur Assembly segment to file his nomination papers.
Vinay K.C. Rajavath, a 25-year-old student leader, also came from Bengaluru to Shikaripur in helicopter on Saturday to file his papers as an Independent candidate. The chopper ride expense was apparently contributed by his friends.
Mr. Rajavath told presspersons that as he wanted to file his papers in a unique manner and had planned to go to the office of Returning Officer on a bullock cart.
However, he changed his plans on the suggestion of his friends who believed a chopper ride would enhance his confidence to take on Mr. Yeddyurappa on the latter’s home turn. Mr. Rajavath is involved in a student organisation named Vidyarthi.
He hails from Kunchenahalli village in Shivamogga taluk and had pursued his high school and pre-university education in Shikaripur. Apart from fighting for the cause of students, Vidyarthi is involved in the struggle for fair price for maize and for upgrading amenities at government hospitals and schools.
Election officials said the cost incurred on the copter ride would be added to the candidate’s election expenditure. Padma Shri awardee and blind cricketer Shekhar Naik was present with Mr. Rajavath as he filed his papers.
On Thursday, Mr. Yeddyurappa had arrived in Shikaripur in a helicopter with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar.
