MYSORE: Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda on Tuesday appealed to the Election Commission to recall the election observer for Chamundeshwari constituency, J. Raymon Peter, and requested that "impartial observers" be posted to ensure a free and fair election.

The Chamundeshwari byelection is slated for December 4, and both the Congress and the JD (S) are apprehensive that a free and fair election cannot be held because of the misuse of administrative machinery.

Mr. Peter was perceived to be coming down heavily on the JD (S) campaign and going soft on the Congress, according to Mr. Deve Gowda. "Constitutionally created offices likethe Election Commission are not being allowed to work impartially by the Congress at the Centre," he said and wondered "whether Mr. Raymon Peter is functioning as an impartial observer or the observer of Congress."

"Let them send three impartial observers, if necessary," the former Prime Minister said.

Mr. Deve Gowda, who staged a dharna at Gandhi Square from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, was joined by his supporters who held placards questioning the fairness and objectivity of the observer. M. Rajasekhara Murthy, MP; G.T. Deve Gowda, MLA; and other party leaders joined the dharna.

Provocation for stir

The immediate provocation for the stir was the seizure of the car belonging to Transport Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Monday, ostensibly for not adhering to the guidelines stipulated by the Election Commission on the use of vehicles during the election campaign.

Mr. Deve Gowda accused the Congress of harassing the JD (S)-BJP combine and said the dharna was being held in a bid to make the Election Commission "open its eyes." He also accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to dethrone the JD (S)-BJP coalition in the State. He dismissed suggestions that the Government would collapse after December 7, when the results are announced. "I will show my strength after December 7," he said. "But what has promoted the Election Commission to seek details of development works launched since August 1, 2006," asked Mr. Deve Gowda.

Government's reply

The Government replied to the Chief Electoral Officer with the assurance that the Government of Karnataka would abide by the code of conduct in letter and spirit when the provisions of the model code of conduct came into effect, he said.

The issue raised by Mr. Deve Gowda was whether the Commission was acting under duress.

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