BENGALURU: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, KS Eshwarappa, has been expelled from the BJP for six years due to engaging in anti-party activities. In Shivamogga, Eshwarappa filed his nomination to contest against former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's son and sitting MP, Raghavendra. He decided to contest in protest against the denial of a seat to his son, KE Kanthesh.

Elections for 28 seats in Karnataka will be held on the 26th of this month and on the 7th of the next month. The first phase of elections will be held in Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, Chikkabellapur and Kolar. The second phase will be held in Chikodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Davanagere and Shimoga.