A former IAS officer, a former judge and a former police officer hoping to contest Assembly polls

The poll scene in North Karnataka is getting interesting. Three candidates from a background in judiciary and the executive have quit high paying jobs to enter the poll fray this time.

The poll scene in North Karnataka is getting interesting. Three candidates from a background in judiciary and the executive have quit high paying jobs to enter the poll fray this time.

Shambhu Krishna Kallolikar is a former IAS officer who served as joint secretary in the Union government. Babasaheb Jinaralkar is a former District and Sessions judge and Basavaraj Beesanakoppa is a former Circle Inspector of Police. They are all aspiring to fight the Assembly polls this summer.

Mr. Kallolikar plans to fight the elections from Raibag (SC) seat in Belagavi district. Duryodhan Aihole of the BJP is the incumbent MLA. The Congress is yet to announce its nominee there.

Hailing from Yabaratti in Raibag taluk, Mr. Kallolikar is a 1991 cadre IAS officer. He served briefly in West Bengal before joining the Tamil Nadu government.

After two district postings, he served in the Tamil Nadu Governor’s office and as additional chief secretary of the Department of Social Welfare.

He has also worked as a director in the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and joint secretary of the Union Ministry of Medicine and Fertilisers.

The 58-year-old Mr. Kallolikar has spent nearly three decades in public service. He said that he came back to his home State with a desire to give back to society that has given him so much.