Congress is expected to nominate Annapurna Tukaram, wife of Bellary MP E. Tukaram, as its candidate for the upcoming Sandur Assembly bypoll. Tukaram recently met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to discuss his wife’s candidature, and an official announcement is likely within the next two days.
However, the decision has sparked dissent within the party, with several local leaders insisting that a newcomer, rather than a Tukaram family member, be given the ticket. Minister Santosh Lad from Sandur and other leaders reportedly urged the leadership to consider alternative candidates. Despite the opposition, the party appears to have chosen Annapurna, believing her candidacy would offer the best chance for victory.
Meanwhile, N. Venkanna, who had sought the Congress ticket, has filed his nomination as an independent candidate after being denied the party’s backing. Venkanna had lobbied for the ticket but decided to contest the bypoll as a rebel after failing to secure it.
On the other hand, the BJP has named Bangaru Hanumanth as its candidate for Sandur. The campaign is being spearheaded by Janardhan Reddy, who launched efforts from Elubenchi village in Kurugodu taluk. Reddy has criticized Tukaram, alleging his involvement in the Valmiki ST Corporation scam, which, he claimed, could cost him his Lok Sabha membership.
Historically, Sandur has been an ST-reserved constituency for the past 15 years. Tukaram has won the seat four consecutive times for Congress, previously serving as chief whip and a minister. Annapurna’s nomination comes amid speculation that the party had also considered Tukaram’s daughter for the bypoll, but the leadership ultimately favored his wife.