Former minister C P Yogeeshwara sprung a surprise on Wednesday by filing nomination papers as the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from Channapatna. Yogeeshwara had quit as minister in the Shettar Cabinet hoping for a Congress ticket. However, Congress denied him a ticket.
Yogeeshwara, a four-time MLA, was camping in Delhi for the last couple of days. The filing of papers was marred by lathicharging by the police as his supporters went berserk. Though only five persons are allowed to accompany a candidate while filing papers, his supporters barged into the office.
The District Armed Reserve personnel had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Some members in the crowd attacked a CRPF personnel and two policemen, sources said. Speaking to reporters, Yogeeshwara said there were too many Independent candidates in the fray. It would lead to confusion among his supporters, in case he too contested as an Independent.
