Kalaburagi: To counter the BJP-supported Sumalatha Ambareesh, seven Sumalathas have filed their nominations in Mandya. On the same lines, in Kalaburagi, three Jadhavs have filed their nominations to counter BJP candidate Umesh Jadhav.

It is said that the namesakes are introduced to confuse the people and divide votes of the prominent leaders contesting.

In Kalaburagi, Umesh Jadhav is a strong contender against veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Jadhav was also a Congressman but recently quit party and joined BJP as he was denied ticket to contest from Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency.

According to reports, BJP candidate Umesh Jadhav will have to contest opposite Shankar Jadhav of National People's Party, Vijay Jadhav of Sarva Janata Party and independent candidate Vitthal Jadhav.

Umesh Jadhav had earlier lashed out at Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Priyank Kharge's power politics in Kalaburagi. He had said that Kharges do not allow anyone else to grow in the party.

Now, four candidates with Jadhav as their surname are contesting from Kalaburagi and as Umesh Jadhav turned rebellious against Congress, it is touted that Jadhav namesakes are made to contest to confuse the voters.

Election will be held in Kalaburagi in the second phase on April 23. In all, 362 candidates filed 455 nominations from 14 constituencies for the second phase of election in the state. Among them 337 are male and 25 female candidates. 203 candidates are contesting as independents. The last date to withdraw nominations was March 29.