Karnataka - Bangalore   

Shinde plays power politics

Bangalore: The Election Commission has asked Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to explain why he made an announcement regarding a mega power project for the State when the model code of conduct is in force.

Mr. Shinde on Saturday announced that the Centre would not only implement the 4,000 MW thermal power plant at Tadadi in the coastal region, but would also sanction another power project of equivalent capacity in the State if the people voted the Congress to power.

He was addressing a news conference organised at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office here.

“Giving any assurance, that too on a mega project involving hundreds of crores, is a violation of the election code of conduct by the Minister,” Joint Chief Electoral Officer B.V. Kulkarni told The Hindu. He said the commission had taken serious objection to it and had sought an explanation from the Minister.

The senior Congress leader, who is on a campaign tour in the State, charged that the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government had failed to pursue the Tadadi power project, while neighbouring States had already started the work on such projects.

If the people of Karnataka gave their mandate for the Congress, then the Centre would sanction another power project in the State, the Minister said.

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