Tribal organisations demand disqualification of candidates

Mysore, May 16 (UNI) Adivasi Swayattategagi Rastriya Rangha (ASRR) and Nagarahole Tribal Rights Samithi have urged the Election Commission to disqualify three candidates contesting from H D Kote (Reserve) Assembly Constituency for allegedly producing false caste certificates.

According to a press note issued by Samithi Convenor P K Ramu, the candidates Mr Chikkanna (Congress), Mr Chikkaveera Nayaka (BJP) and (Mr Doddanayaka (JD-S) had contested the Assembly elections from this reserved constituency for tribals and urged the Commission to disqualify and file criminal cases against them.

Earlier, based on a complaint filed by the public, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer P Manivannan had suspended H D Kote Tahasildar T Vijya and ordered a departmental inquiry against her for issuing S T certificate to BJP candidate Chikkaveera Naika.

They alleged that all three candidates had tampered with the school documents and produced the false caste certificates during the time of the election process and contested from H D Kote.

The Assistant Commissioner of Hunsur Sub Division M R Ravi had submitted a report to the district election officer alleging tampering with the records by the three candidates to claim the Scheduled Tribe status to contest the election.

In his report, Mr Ravi stated the Tahsildar of H D Kote had issued controversial caste certificates without verifying the original documents and failed to follow the procedures before issuing them.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer P Manivannan said the report had been sent to the Election Commission for further action.

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