Bhatkal JD(s) candidate withdraw candidature on the last day; battle now open between Cong-BJP

Bhatkal 27 April 2018: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Four candidates who had filed their nomination for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections from Bhatkal-Honnavar constituency, withdrew their nominations on the last day for withdrawing candidature set by the election commission. The four candidates include Janata Dal(secular) candidate SM Amjad, Shiv Sena candidate Jayant Naik, Independent candidates Jabruth Khateeb and Era Durgappa Naik. The final list of candidates who will contest the elections now include sitting MLA Mankal Vaidya from Congress, Sunil Naik from BJP, Gafoor Sab of MEP, Independent candidates Abdul Rahima, Prakash Pinto and Rajesh Naik. With JD(s) candidate withdrawing his name, the contest will now be mostly between the two political giants Congress and BJP who will fight it out amidst and a few lesser known candidates who can also play the role of spoilsport for either of the candidates. Interestingly in 2013, ten candidates contested the assembly elections from Bhatkal-Honnavar constituency wherein the then independent candidate Mankal Vaidya emerged victorious.