The Hindu : Poll candidate lodges complaint

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 30, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Poll candidate lodges complaint

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Nov. 29. The All-India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) candidate for the election to the Legislative Council from Bangalore Urban constituency, K.A. Subramanya, has complained to the Chief Electoral Officer about "threats being held out to the gram panchayat members" in the constituency by the Minister for Social Welfare, A. Krishnappa.

He told presspersons here today that the Minister, who was also in charge of the district and represented Varthur constituency in the Legislative Assembly, had told the gram panchayat members that he would individually meet them on Sunday, the day of the election, and give them instructions as to which candidate they should vote for. The Congress MLA representing Yelahanka constituency, B. Prasanna Kumar, was issuing similar "directions" to the gram panchayat members he alleged.

Mr. Subramanya, who runs an engineering college on Airport Road here, said the Chief Electoral Officer should immediately post observers in Bangalore Urban constituency to prevent any foul play by ruling party activists.

It should also be ensured that no pressure was exerted on the gram panchayat members and that the secret ballot was strictly adhered to.

Mr. Subramanya exuded confidence that he would win the election thanks to the popularity of the former Chief Minister, Ramakrishna Hegde, who had worked for the decentralisation of administration.

Mr. Subramanya's main rival in the election is the Congress candidate, K.B. Munivenkata Reddy.

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