Bengaluru, May 21: Anitha Kumaraswamy, the wife of Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, is likely to contest the bypoll from Ramanagar, the seat vacated by her husband.

Although the by-election schedule is not out, the poll would be necessitated as Kumaraswamy has not taken oath to Office from the seat. The JD(S) veteran had contested from two constituencies - Ramanagar and Channapatna. While he won both the seats, he could represent only one in the legislative assembly.

Ahead of the floor test on Saturday, Kumaraswamy decided to take oath only from the seat of Channapatna. The decision drew attention as Ramanagar is not only a JD(S) bastion, but is also considered to be an auspicious constituency as it has given three chief ministers to Karnataka.

Explaining the rationale behind vacating Ramanagar, senior JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti said the party aims to consolidate itself in Channapatna region, while it is confident of retaining the support of Ramanagar voters.

JD(S) sources claim the decision to vacate the Ramanagar was taken after considering the possible entry of Anitha into the electoral fray. While the JD(S) has a strong cadre base to ensure a victory in Ramanagar again, the party would have been pitted against BJP veteran C P Yogeshwar if it were to re-contest from Channapatna.

Yogeshwara was defeated by a margin of over 20,000 votes from Channapatna by Kumaraswamy. Pollsters, however, are firm that the former would bounce back if he was pitted in the polling fray against Anitha. Notably, she was defeated by Yogeshwar in the 2013 assembly elections by a margin of 6,464 votes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 21, 2018 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).