KPCC accuses JD(S) of trying to postpone Chamundeswari bypoll

Mysore, Nov 29 (UNI) Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Mallikarjuna Kharge today accused the Janata Dal (Secular) of trying to postpone the December four byelection to the Chamundeswari Assembly segment by finding fault with the actions of the Election Commission (EC).

Addressing media persons here, he strongly condemned the allegation of former Prime Minister and JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda that AICC President Sonia Gandhi and the Union Government were putting pressure on the EC to act accordingly. The EC was an independent body with consitutional powers to take its own decision.

Such comments do not befit the stature of a former Prime Minister, he added.

Referring to law and order issues in the constituency, he said it was the bounden duty of the State Government to cooperate with the EC to conduct free and fair polls.

Mr Kharge said the absence of a conducive atmosphere for free and fair polls in the constituency had forced the Governor to write two letters to the Government, giving some suggestions to take up daily works, for the first time in the history of Karnataka.

On the JD(S) workers disrupting poll campaigns of other parties in some villages, he said that being the Chief Minister, Mr Kumaraswamy could not wash his hands off the issue, stating ''what can I do when the villagers decide to stop others' campaign.'' In a separate press conference, AICC General Secretary B K Hariprasad said the coalition partners JD(S) and BJP were creating a Bihar and Uttar Pradesh like situation in Chamundeswari.

Meanwhile, former Union Minister V Sreenivasa Prasad, talking to newspersons here, extended his support to Congress candidate Siddaramaiah and said he would campaign for him.

Terming the dharna by Mr Gowda seeking the withdrawal of the Election Observer as a ''disgraceful act'', he said the EC was conducting various elections in an impartial manner.

Meanwhile, the KPCC had lodged a complaint with Election Observer J Raymond Peter against Minister Basavaraj Horatti for violating the election norms by meeting the teachers and officials involved in the polling process. The police did not initiate any action against the Minister and officials concerned.

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