K'taka: All party leaders to meet EC on Mar 4

Bangalore, Mar 4: A full bench of the Election Commission (EC) comprising Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and the two Election Commissioners will meet top Karnataka leaders from various political parties here today to hear their views on the timing of state assembly polls.

Major political parties are divided over the timing of the elections, even as the state is put under President's Rule. The BJP and JD (S) are likely to submit memorandums to the EC bench urging it not to delay the polls beyond May. Though the Congress said it was also ready to face the polls "anytime", the party does not seem to be in favour of elections, as it is not convinced by the "cut and paste" policy being adopted in the revision of electoral rolls in the state. Meanwhile, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka and Union Minister Prithiviraj Chavan arrived here for a late night sitting with the state Congress leaders to chalk out the party's stance during the meeting with the EC bench. The EC panel arrived here late last evening to evaluate redrawing of constituencies, which would be completed by March 10.

President's rule was imposed in the state on November 20, 2007 and Assembly dissolved on November 28. The Centre's rule is scheduled to expire on May 28. As per constitutional provisions, elections must be conducted within six months of the dissolution of the Assembly.

ANI