Karnataka - Mysore   

`Instil confidence among voters'

Special Correspondent

Observers must accompany paramilitary forces

MYSORE: Expressing concern over the fear psychosis among voters about the law and order situation in the run up the byelections, former Chief Minister and Samajawadi Party State unit president S. Bangarappa has urged the Election Commission to take proactive steps to instil confidence among voters in the Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency.

He said the observers should accompany paramilitary forces and visit as many places as possible and let the public know that the law and order machinery of the State was neutral and was committed to conducting free and fair polls.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Bangarappa said that the law of the land was being violated by the Congress and the Janata Dal (S)-Bharatiya Janata Party combine and there was every possibility of the elections being rigged. He criticised the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda for staging a dharna seeking the recall of the observer and said his behaviour should have been a role model for others to emulate.

Mr. Bangarappa said the transfer of officials would not dispel fear among people as the officials who have replaced the earlier ones are also government employees. "The election observers should accompany the paramilitary forces and make their presence felt in the constituency and send strong signals," Mr. Bangarappa said.

He said the local police was completely under the control of State Government and the deployment of the central forces was a fair act.

Commenting on the election scenario, Mr. Bangarappa said the byelection to Chamundeshwari constituency was a precursor to the Assembly elections, which were imminent, he added.

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