Gowda fends allegations

New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Janata Dal (Secular) President and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda today refuted allegations that his party was misusing the state machinery in the coming byelections to Chamundeshwari Assembly seat in Mysore district.

In a statement, Mr Gowda said he was 'deeply hurt', by the allegations and said that the administration including the law and order in the constitutency was under the direct control of the Election Commission and the circulation of such mischievous reports in the media was the handiwork of 'anti-Karnataka forces' who were facing imminent defeat in the elections and hence looking for lame excuses.

He said people of Karnataka were mature enough to see through the designs behind the malicious campaign churned out by a section of the media and would give a befitting reply in the elections.

''We have full faith and confidence in the wisdom of people of Chamundeshwari and their ability to distinguish between truth and propoganda,'' he said.

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