Controversy over Ananthamurthy's RS candidature

Bangalore, Mar 19 (UNI) The Janata Dal (Secular) today criticised Jnanpeeth awardee U R Ananthamurthy contesting the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha from the State as an independent, making the issue of 'outsider' as his poll plank.

Party Spokesman Y S V Datta, in a statement here, questioned Dr Ananthamurthy's ''silence'' when leading lawyer Ram Jethmalani was fielded from the State by the then Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde.

He wondered how Mr Hegde was hailed a ''nationalist'' when he fielded an outside candidate, whereas JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda was dubbed a ''sheer regionalist'' by his critics when he did the same thing.

Criticising the litterateur for his double standards, he said his candidature was motivated by politics rather than his commitment to Kannada.

It may be recalled that the renowned writer had filed his nomination papers to the Rajya Sabha elections at the last minute, raising quite a few eyebrows in State politics. He was backed by the Siddaramaiah-led All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD), a few independents and the Congress.

UNI MV GD TS1809