Gowda seeks withdrawal of Chamundeswari Election Observer

Mysore, Nov 28 (UNI) Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Deve Gowda today appealed to the Election Commission to withdraw the Election Observer, deputed to oversee the byelection to the Chamundeswari Assembly segment, slated for December four.

Addressing a press conference here, he expressed doubts about the conduct of free and fair polls under Election Observer J Raymond Peter and demanded his withdrawal.

Mr Gowda listed out the ''partial actions'' of Mr Peter like replacing Returning Officer Chikkatimmaiah with Mysore Urban Development Authority Secretary Rajendran and transfer of four police officers last night. Though the Ministers had every right to travel in State cars, the vehicles have been seized. ''On the basis of whose complaint, such actions have been taken,'' he asked.

He alleged that Mr Peter had been sending ''one-sided'' reports to the EC and asked whether similar action was initiated against the Congress too.

Mr Gowda asked that when the bypoll date was announced on November ten, where was the need for the EC to write a letter to the State Government on October 26, seeking details about the development works taken up in the constituency from August one. The EC had again dashed off a letter to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on November 24, asking him to explain within 24 hours the announcement of providing loans to SC/ST people in a public meeting on November 20.

Calling upon his party workers to maintain claim and not to indulge in any incidents, he, however, asked them to remain vigil.

Referring to Governor T N Chaturvedi making some suggestions to Mr Kumaraswamy regarding the functioning of the State Government, he said that being the head of the State, he had made some suggestions to the Chief Minister and Ministers on routine works. The Congress leaders were unnecessarily portraying it as a constitutional crisis in the State, he added.

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