MYSORE: The former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh has accused the State Government of failing to uphold the law in the run-up to the byelection from Chamundeshwari constituency and called for the imposition of President's rule.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Singh, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, cited Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's reported refusal to either take responsibility or initiate action against those who had obstructed Congress campaigners from seeking votes in certain pockets of the constituency.

He also referred to the notice issued by the Election Commission to Mr. Kumaraswamy and Social Welfare Minister Balachandra Jarkiholi for violating the model code of conduct.

Mr. Singh said the absence of a climate for a free and fair election in Chamundeshwari constituency had forced Governor T.N. Chaturvedi to write two letters to the State Government. "Since 1958, no Governor has ever written such a letter to the Chief Minister," Mr. Singh said.

The Assembly should be kept in suspended animation and President's rule imposed in the State, he said.

Mr. Singh criticised the Janata Dal (Secular) for attacking the Election Commission for cracking down on poll malpractices by ordering the transfer of three police officers and divesting the Inspector-General of Police (Southern Range) of election duty.

"The Election Commission is an independent body, and it is unfortunate that Mr. Deve Gowda, who is a former Prime Minister, is staging a dharna against the Election Commission's order," he said.

`We will see later'

Mr. Deve Gowda, addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, made light of Mr. Singh's demand for the imposition of President's rule. "Let them impose President's rule. Let the bypoll be over. We will see later," he said when his reaction was sought to Mr. Singh's statement.

The demand for President's rule was termed "ridiculous" by the JD(S).

Party spokesperson Narasimha Iyengar told presspersons that President's rule could not be imposed just because of allegations of irregularities during a byelection. "Usually, President's rule is imposed whenever there is a collapse of law and order collapse or failure of the administrative machinery in a State. The Governor should make such a recommendation and the Union Cabinet should discuss the matter before the proposal is sent to the President. Imposition of President's rule is at the discretion of the President," Mr. Iyengar said.

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