Mysuru: Geetha Mahadeva Prasad wife of former minister and Gundlupet MLA Late Mahadeva Prasad has started campaigning for the by-election in the assembly segment to be held on April 9.

The Assembly segment lost its sitting MLA Mahadeva Prasad due a cardiac arrest in January and soon, the Congress zeroed in on his wife Geetha Mahadeva Prasad. However, CM Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief G Parameshwara are expected to formally announce her candidature on Sunday.

On Wednesday Geetha offered prayers at Gaddige and started the padayatra at a village. Due to down to earth nature of 56-year-old Geetha, she has over the years struck right chord with the people of the constituency. As she toured Harave on Mysuru-Chamarajanagar border, which is nearly 70 kms from Mysuru, Geetha mingled with women and told them that she is keen to resolve their issues on priority basis.

She has already toured all the six zilla panchayat constituencies which are attached to Gundulpet assembly segment and is planning to launch tour of gram panchayats in days to come. Geetha was born in Mysuru on February 4, 1961 and did her schooling at CFTRI School and Nirmala Convent. Later, she did BA from Maharanis’ Arts College for Women in 1982. A year later, she was married to Mahadeva Prasad. Her father P M Channabasappa was a businessman and headed the Akila Karnataka Veerashiva Mahasabha and was close to the Mysuru royal family. Her mother Saroja is from Nanjangud taluk.