JD-S Ministers seek withdrawal of poll observer

Mysore, Nov 29: Karnataka PWD Minister H D Revanna and Transport Minister Cheluvarayaswamy today sought the immediate withdrawal of Election Observer J Raymond Peter from supervising the Chamundeswari Assembly byelection to be held on December four, alleging that he was acting in a biased manner.

Addressing media persons here, Mr Revanna accused Mr Peter of unwantedly sending reports against the Janata Dal (Secular) and seizing only his party Ministers' cars. Over 60 Congress MLAs were moving freely in the consitituency, but the Election Observer had not taken any action against them. It was evident that the election officers were working for the Congress, he alleged.

He said JD(S) candidate Shivabasappa had lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission to replace the Election Observer immediately with an impartial official to ensure free and fair poll.

Endorsing his views, Mr Cheluvarayaswamy alleged that the Congress had been exerting pressure from the Centre on the Election Commission with a series of complaints against the JD(S).

Meanwhile, State Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti, in a separate press conference, denied that he met polling officials and teachers last night. He claimed that he met only some retired teachers who had been facing some problems.

He said he would resign his post if it was proved that he met them only to influence them in the election process.

UNI

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