High voltage campaign for Ullal by-poll ends

Mangalore, May 31 (UNI) High voltage campaigning for June 2 by-election to Ullal Assembly constituency came to an end this evening.

While Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy made a last minute effort to woo the voters with a whirlwind tour of the constituency, the other party leaders, including Karnataka Legislative Opposition Leader N Dharam Singh, PCC President Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP State President Sadananda Gowda, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa camped in the constituency during the lost one week for intense campaigning.

The campaign, which began on a dull note two weeks ago, picked up with top leaders including Union ministers and leaders within the state camping in the constituency or making repeated visits.

Traditional rivals Congress and the BJP were involved in a neck-to-neck fight with JD(S) making its bid with active involvement of Mr Kumaraswamy, who made an extensive coverage of the constituency and appeased the voters with a slew of promises.

U T Khader of Congress, son of U T Fareed whose death had necessitated the bypolls, is pitted in a direct fight against BJP's Chandrashekar Uchil, who made and unsuccessful attempt in the last election. The JD(S) had fielded Aboobakkar Natekal, while the other two candidates in the fray, included Balakrishna Shetty from CPI(M) and an independent Bharatraj Shetty.

Unlike in the earlier elections, importance was not paid to public meetings.

A slew of charges and counter charges were hurled between the leaders of different political parties. A total of 15 complaints were filed with the district election officers by various political parties.

UNI