Yeddyurappa agrees to campaign for Bellary bypoll

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has agreed to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party nominee from Bellary assembly seat where bypolls slated for November 30.

"Yeddyurappa has agreed to campaign in Bellary bypoll. Myself and other leaders will undertake electioneering for four days from November 22," Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda told reporters in Bengaluru.

The former chief minister had earlier said he would not campaign for the party candidate from the seat, citing personal preoccupations.

Former party leader B Sreeramulu is seeking re-election from the seat as an Independent.

Gowda said the party would direct all its efforts to ensure the victory of BJP nominee Gadilingappa. "Under whose leadership the bypoll will be fought is not an issue for debate. It will be under the banner of BJP," he said.

Gowda sidestepped a query on why the party has not initiated action against some of its legislators who have thrown their lot behind Sreeramulu, saying, "So far nobody has compaigned. But will take action if we receive such complaints."

Meanwhile, the electoral authorities have decided to deploy siezeable contingents of para military forces to provide security cover for the bypoll.

BSF and Indo Tibetan Border Security Force would be on duty in the poll-bound areas from November 24, Karnataka Joint Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Arya told reporters in Bellary after reviewing the election arrangements there.

The authorities have set up eight check posts and 18 teams are keeping vigil on whether the model code of conduct is being adhered to, he said.