The JD(S) will organise a public convention at Sharavathi Dental College here on March 17 to kick-start its election campaign in Shimoga, said Madhu Bangarappa, Sorab MLA.
The rally assumes political significance as Geetha Shivarajkumar, wife of actor Shivarajkumar, will for the first time share the dais with top leaders including H.D. Deve Gowda, A. Krishnappa and H.D. Kumaraswamy. The convention will commence at 4 p.m.
Mr. Bangarappa told presspersons on Saturday that JD(S) activists in Shimoga constituency wanted a member of the Bangarappa family to contest the elections. “My mother Shakuntala Bangarappa is not in a position to contest the polls, owing to illness. If I get elected, bypolls to the Sorab constituency would have to be held. As a result, it was decided to field Ms. Shivarajkumar,” he said.
Mr. Shivarajkumar had also consented in the matter. “Being an actor, he has admirers in all political parties. It is wrong to associate him with any single party. However, he has agreed to campaign for his wife,” Mr. Bangarappa said.
Another party candidate, Sharada Poorya Naik, was elected from the Shimoga Rural constituency in the recent Assembly elections, he added. “The people will support women in politics. I am optimistic that Ms. Shivarajkumar will get support.”
“Ms. Shivarajkumar was born and brought up in Shimoga district. She will be accessible to the common people after winning the election,” he said, adding that she would file her nomination by March 24.
