Congress urges State govt.to hold elections to localbodies

Bangalore, Dec 22 (UNI) The main opposition Congress today urged the Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government to take immediate steps to hold elections to the Local bodies, the term of which has ended and warned state-wide agitation if the delay was continued.

Speaking to newspersons after party leaders and Office-bearers meeting here, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed apprehensions about the coalition government holding elections immediately fearing defeat.

He said the term of about 213 civic bodies, representing over 5000 members, was completed long back however the State government was not showing interest to hold elections thus violating constitutional obligation.

He said his party was preparing itself to face the elections.

Mr Kharge announced the admission of cine actor-turned-politician and JD(S) leader Shashikumar into the party. ''Mr Shashikumar has agreed to join the party unconditionally and has expressed faith on the party's principles and leadership of Ms Sonia Gandhi'', he added.

Later speaking to newspersons Mr Shashikumar a former Lok Sabha Member said he has quit the JD(S) as it was controlled by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and his family members. ''In JD(S) there is no any internal or external democracy and was dictated by whims and fancies of Deve Gowda'' he alleged.

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