Vijayapura: Even when the election for MLCs of Northwest constituency still has three months left, the BJP has already declared its candidate for teachers’ and graduates constituency.

Interestingly, the party has given tickets to its sitting MLCs, Arun Shahapur who is present MLCs representing teachers’ constituency and Hanumanth Nirani, who is sitting in MLC of graduates constituency.

Many leaders of the party believe that the decision is not surprising and that it is on expected lines since both the leaders are present MLCs and there is no strong candidate against them in the party.

Shahapur who has already won twice in the last election successively on BJP ticket and is now contesting for the third time. Hanumanth Nirani, who is the brother of Murugesh Nirani Minister, is contesting for the second term.

Entered into the political arena as a student activist, Shahapur rose to become MLC and won in the last two elections. Known for his good oration skills and fighting for the cause of teachers inside and outside the assembly, Shahapur enjoys the good support of teachers of various castes and communities. Some party leaders believe that his name was making rounds for the post of Ministry for Primary and Secondary Education when the last cabinet expiation was made, however, the name was dropped at the last minute owing to some political compulsions.

A native of Sindgi town, Shahapur is hoping to repeat the success and record a hat-trick in the coming election.

About Nirani, he has strong political influence in the BJP as his brother is the present Minister in the BJP government. He is also close to the Former Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa. Nirani is native of Bilagi taluk in Bagalkot district.

The teachers’ and graduates’ constituencies are spread in three districts, Bijapur, Bagalkot and Belagavi. The constituency comprises 33 assembly segments and five Lok sabha constituencies three districts.

Meanwhile, both the leaders have thanked the BJP high command for considering them as candidates for the coming MLC posts.

With the elections, just three months left, both the leaders have already started the first level of a campaign by approaching the voters through social media. The Congress and JD(S) are yet to finalise the names of their candidates.