From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Sep 13: Two civl society organisations - All India Consumer Rights Protection Trust and Bangalore Citizens Rights Protection Committee - have sharply criticised the Koppal Assembly by-election on September 26 and have termed it as ''nothing short of an offence against the people."

The by-election caused by the resignation of the JD(S) MLA, Karadi Sanganna Amarappa, who won in the 2008 Assembly elections to join the ruling BJP under the much criticised ''Operation Lotus" is an election ''for the selfish gains of politicians, totally unnecessary and waste of public money," leaders of the two organisations contended.

Addressing a joint news conference in Bangalore, President of the All India Consumer Rights Protection Trust B S Gnana Prakash said the byelection was totally uncalled for.

''Normally, byelections are held due to death of the elected member or if he/she tenders resignation due to serious illness," he said pointing out that the Koppal byelection has been imposed on the electorate for neither of these reasons and will cause a huge financial loss to the state-exchequer.

Karadi Sanganna Amarappa had contested the elections as a candidate of the JD(S). He defected to BJP and was offered the post of Chairman of Karnataka State Small Scale Industries Development, he added, referring to the factors leading to the byelection.

Prakash said they had filed a writ petition regarding the issue in the Karnataka High Court, and the bench comprising the Chief Justice had suggested that this be taken up as a public issue.

''As we cannot stop this election, we appeal to the people of Koppal to refrain from voting. We want amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Indian Penal Code to make this into a punishable offence. We will also write to Anna Hazare to take up the matter," he said.