The Hindu : Karnataka News : Chamarajpet byelection shows a nexus

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Chamarajpet byelection shows a nexus

K.V. Subramanya

People facing criminal cases canvassing for candidates

BANGALORE: The byelection to the Chamarajpet Assembly constituency in the city, scheduled for Thursday, has exposed the nexus between politicians and people with criminal background.

At least a dozen people, who are accused in several criminal cases, are openly canvassing for the candidates of two political parties.

Areas under the constituency have been flooded with banners with photographs of candidates, political leaders and their supporters.

Independent candidates

Apart from putting banners, posters and cut-outs, people who are facing criminal charges, along with their henchmen, are seen in the constituency seeking votes. At least five people with criminal records are contesting as independent candidates.

A man accused in cases of kidnap, robbery and extortion, who was recently released from jail; a person against whom there is a history-sheet in the Kalasipalya police station; two others against whom there are history-sheets in the Shivajinagar police station; and another against whom there are criminal cases in the Chamarajpet police station are in the poll fray.

They are not seeking votes for themselves but for candidates fielded by two political parties. Three of them are reportedly supporting a particular candidate. Explaining the reasons behind such people entering the poll fray, a senior police official told The Hindu that as candidates, they can get police protection until the results are declared. They can also enter any polling booth and the counting centre without any restriction.

Avoiding action

Secondly, during elections, the police keep a tab on anti-social elements and prevent them from entering trouble-prone areas. Some of them could be contesting the election to avoid possible police action, the official said.

One of these candidates has been given police protection, and two armed policemen were seen escorting him when he was canvassing on Monday afternoon.

Elaborate security

The police have charted out an elaborate security plan for the polling. Nearly 50 platoons will be deployed in the constituency. Each of the 97 booths will be manned by a police team led by a sub-inspector.

There will be one inspector in charge of every three booths, and one assistant commissioner of police to supervise every five booths. Three deputy commissioners of police (south, west and central), who have jurisdiction over the constituency, will supervise the security arrangements.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka