Bengaluru: Dakshina Kannada BJP’s District units past president Pratap Simha Nayak, a prominent leader from the GSB community hailing from Belthangady town in Dakshina Kannada district is the surprise candidate of BJP for the MLC election due July 29. He along with others were shortlisted for the MLC election by the party high-command. 

Turncoat leaders MTB Nagaraj, R Shankar, and Sunil Valyapure are the other three leaders who got MLC tickets.

Former minister AH Vishwanath lost in the race for the MLC ticket. He was one of the ticket aspirants.

With all the parties deciding not to filed extra candidates, all the candidates expected to be elected unopposed.

Two MLCs from Belthangady

With the selection of Pratap Simha Nayak, Belthangady taluk, a remote taluk in Dakshina Kannada district will have two MLCs. Harish Kumar of the Congress is also serving the party as the MLC. He is also the district Congress committee president.