Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah kick started his week-long campaign for Nanjanagud and Gundlupete by-elections here on Friday. During his campaign, he will be visiting nearly 100 villages. PWD Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa and MP R Dhruvanarayan will be with him till the last day of the campaigning.

Siddaramaiah began campaigning in right earnest for the party candidate Kalale Keshavamurthy from Nanjanagud and Geetha Mahadevaprasad from Gundlupet constituency. Speaking to media persons here on Friday, he said “Our major concern is the welfare of the people and I am confident that the voters of Nanjanagud and Gundlupet will extend their support to our party candidates and make us win. Our party workers and senior leaders will be campaigning for both the candidates this week. Few ministers will miss the campaign and will be visiting places across the state for drought assessment.”On Friday, he visited Badanavalu and neighbouring villages in Nanjangud taluk seeking votes for Kalale Keshavamurthy.

On the other side, BJP is also going all out in its campaigning. Former chief minister and state BJP President B S Yeddyurappa along with other BJP leaders including Suresh Kumar, Somanna, Shobha Karandlaje, Sriramulu are canvassing in both Nanjanagud and Gundlupet. Senior leader, S M Krishna, who joined the BJP last week, is expected to start campaigning in few days’ time.

The by-election in both the constituencies especially Nanjangud has become prestige issue for both Ccongress and BJP parties. That is the reason almost all BJP leaders and Congress leaders have started campaigning since few days. The election commission is also keeping an eagle eye on the candidates and their followers. Not only private vehicles even government vehicles are being checked. The night patrol in both the constituencies has also increased.