Dharam criticises SEC on fixing of poll date

Bangalore, Sep 13 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Dharam Singh today criticised the State Election Commission for fixing September 28 as the election date for urban local bodies as the day would be observed as Ramazan Friday by Muslims.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the Congress had always taken into consideration the festivals of all communities before fixing the date of polling to facilitate the voters to exercise their franchise.

Mr Singh said Muslims would be busy observing their religious duties on that day and might not be able to cast their votes.

''There was a conspiracy by the coalition government to fix September 28 as the election date to discourage Muslims from participating in the voting for local bodies elections,'' he alleged.

The former chief minister also criticised the government for creating confusion in handing over power to the BJP and its failure to release the funds of Rs 32 crore towards fees for the SC and ST professional college students.

UNI