The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Unnecessary restrictions spoil the fun’

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Saturday, May 10, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

‘Unnecessary restrictions spoil the fun’

Staff Correspondent

BELLARY: Sushma Swaraj, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, took exception to the unnecessary restrictions being imposed by the Election Commission in the name of model code of conduct. Responding to questions by press persons here today, Ms. Swaraj cited an instance where the commission had objected to the charge against a political party. “In my appeal to the voters, I had said that when common man was suffering because of the steep hike in the prices of essential commodities, the government at the Centre was sitting pretty. The reference to the government was objected to, which was unfair,” she said.

Ms. Swaraj was of the view that elections were a festival of democracy and if the Election Commission removes the festive part by imposing restrictions on banners, buntings and other election materials, the fun would be missing. “People will have to be motivated, and banners and buntings would come in handy. The unnecessary restrictions being imposed are unwarranted,” she said.

Ms. Swaraj, while referring to the poll scenario in the State, said that the BJP, which was said to be lagging behind in South Karnataka, had pushed the Congress behind. She was confident that the BJP would get absolute majority in the State and would form the government.

Ms. Swaraj was also confident that the party would win all the nine assembly seats in Bellary district and also the Harpanahalli seat in which Karunakar Reddy and M.P. Prakash are contesting. “There is no doubt that Bellary will be the empire of the BJP,” she said. “There are no ifs and buts.” .

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