With Inputs From Our Special Correspondent
Pics: Silvester D'Souza/Mounesh Vishwakarma/Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru/Mangaluru/Udupi/Bantwal (SP/DV)
Updated
Bengaluru, Feb 20: Around 70 per cent of polling was recorded in the second phase of elections held on Saturday for zilla and taluk panchayats across in 15 districts of Karnataka.
The polling in the first phase of elections in the other 15 districts held on February 13 was slightly higher at 74.37 per cent.
Though polling, which was by and large peaceful, began on a dull note in some districts, it picked up the pace in the evening.
Fifteen districts that went for polling were Mysuru, Chikkamagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya, Chamarajangar, Udupi, Bidar, Ballari, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, and Vijayapura.
Polling in these districts in 2011 was 66.35 per cent.
There were some stray reports of skirmishes between activists of rival parties, allegations of voter enticement, and electronic voting machine (EVMs) malfunctioning.
A few incidents of technical snags in the EVMs leading to delayed start of voting in several booths in various districts.
Among the prominent personalities who exercised their franchise are Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his home town of Siddaramanahundi, about 22 km from Mysuru and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda at Paduvalahippe in Holenarasipura taluk in Hassan district.
A total of 2,159 candidates, including Congress, BJP and JD(S) are contesting ZP elections. A total of 6457 candidates are in the fray for 1936 TP seats.
Candidates in one ZP seat and three TP seats have been declared elected unopposed.
A minor clash broke out between Congress and JD(S) groups in Yeragera village in Raichur and it disrupted voting for 30 minutes. Police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the unruly elements.
Polls in both phases were bitterly fought by ruling Congress, the BJP and JD(S) with stakes high for the three parties.
Siddaramaiah, Parameshwara, BJP leaders Prahlad Joshi, B S Yeddyurppa, JagadishShettar, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy were prominent leaders actively campaigned for their respective party candidates.
Counting for both phases of the zilla and taluk panchayat polls will be held on Tuesday, February 23, in the respective taluk headquarters of all districts.
Dakshina Kannada and Udupi
Dakshina Kannada registered a voter turnout of 69.16 percent, with Mangaluru recording 65.54%, Bantwal 71.69%, Beltangady 66.73%, Puttur 71.47% and Sullia 74.40%.
In Udupi district, the total turnout was 68.17%, with Udupi taluk witnessing a turnout of 67.09%, Kundapur 67.05%, and Karkala 72.75%.
There were arguments between BJP and Congress workers at Mani zilla panchayat constituency. It is said that a voter was coming to vote when the voting hours were getting over and a party worker helped him. The activists of another party objected to it, causing friction between them. When the situation was about to go out of control some leaders and police intervened and brought the situation under control.
Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Sharanappa visited sensitive booths in the taluk and inspected the security situation. A booth official was found to be napping during duty hours. Official Mahabaleshwara Bhat was found sleeping on duty, causing anguish among voters. The voters took a picture of him and circulated them social networking sites.
Senior citizes cast their votes with much enthusiasm. 70-year old Mutti Shettigar from Madaga, Athrady village came to the polling booth with the help of a younger person even though she suffered from pain in her leg. She recalled with pride that she has never missed a single election so far.
Another elderly woman Susheela Sherigar (82) came along with her daughter to Bommarabettu village panchayat booth to cast her vote. She has three daughters who are married and she lives alone. She said the government should increase the monthly pension for the old so they could lead an independent life.
88-year-old Paddakka Shetty came from Vantelu Nadibettu to Perdur panchayat to exercise her franchise. She is visually impaired and unable to read letters. Her daughter Varija helped her in casting her vote.
Thammayya Nayak, a sprightly 89-year-old had a smile on his face. He opined that election helps to bring about development.
Abhaychandra Jain vs Jagadish Adhikar
There was friction between minister of fisheries K Abhayachandra Jain and BJP Dakshina Kannada district vice-president K P Jagadish Adhikari at Borugudde school polling booth in Nellikaru gram panchayat limits.
Minister Jain who visited the Borugudde booth was about to get back in his car, but got down after hearing Adhikari speaking. Jain asked Adhikari why he was peering at him, to which Adhikari replied that he responds only when talked to with respect. The minister then asked Adhikari to sit at home if he were jobless. This angered Adhikari, who retorted with, 'I know how to make you sit at home', adding, "Time never remains constant. We know to win and lose. We are not afraid of you. We have spared no one." The conversation was in Tulu.
Congress and BJP workers clash at Ankadakatte
There were clashes reported at Ankadakatte, Koteshwar in Kundapur taluk between Congress and BJP workers. Congress workers alleged that a BJP worker was campaigning for the party outside the gate of the polling centre. Soon, arguments snowballed into a brawl between groups led by Ganesh Sherigar and Rama Shetadathi.
The police and KSRP personnel arrived at the spot and tried to calm the clashing activists. As things got out of control and a large number people began to join in, the police resorted to mild lathi charge. Three persons namely Ganesh Sherigar, Rama Shedathi and Vimala were admitted to hospital.
Earlier Update
Mangaluru: Clashes during polling - Jagadish Shenava's car attacked at Addoor
Pics: Mohan Kuthar/Kishore Peraje/Silvester D'Souza/Umesh Marpalli
With Inputs from Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi/Bantwal (SP/DV)
Update
Mangaluru/Udupi, Feb 20: The polling for zilla and taluk panchayat elections was marred by clashes between political parties in a few places in Dakshina Kannada district. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) district working president Jagadish Shenava's car was attacked at Addoor.
It is learnt that verbal clash erupted between BJP and Congress activists at Addoor after BJP candidate Harish Moodushedde came to the polling booth. At the same time, Jagadish Shenava had also come in his car. The police intervened and dispersed the crowd.
Even though the police disperse the clashing activists, a few of them belonging to Congress ran towards Shenava's car and attacked it. The rear windshield of the car got damaged in the incident.
The police again intervened and dispersed the crowd, and managed to bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, there were verbal clashes between SDPI and Congress activists at Ammemar in Padu zilla panchayat. The police brought the situation under control. SP Sharanappa visited the spot.
Polling for the zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections began on a slow note at 7 am on Saturday February 20 in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and other districts. The district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth polling, and poll officials had reported at respective polling booths on Friday itself.
By 1 pm, the polling percentage stood at 43.53% in Dakshina Kannada district, and 37.89 in Udupi district. In Udupi taluk the turnout was 36.51 percent, in Kundapur 35.41 percent and Karkala 41.78 percent by 1 pm.
By 11 am, the turnout in Dakshina Kannada district was 29.09 percent.
Though it was initially slow, it soon picked up, and by 9 am, the turnout in Dakshina Kannada was 15.8 percent, while Udupi district recorded a turnout of 15 percent. Udupi taluk saw a turnout of 11.31 percent, Karkala taluk 15 percent, and Kundapur 8.12 percent. Bantwal recorded a turnout of about 24 percent by 10 am.
Health minister and Ullal MLA U T Khader cast his vote at Jaradagudde in Boliyar.
Speaking to reporters, Khader said, "The voters are turning up to exercise their franchise with great enthusiasm. The local administration has played a vital role in bringing important people-friendly projects to the town. Everyone should take part in the voting process and do their part in the development of the region.
The polling is expected to gather momentum as the day progresses. People have to cast their votes separately for taluk and zilla panchayat elections by making use of two electronic voting machines provided in each of the polling booths.
District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai cast his vote at Todambila Church school, while Padmanabha Kottary who is contesting from Sajipamunnuru panchayat as BJP candidate cast his vote at Goltamajalu.
Speaking to media persons, Ramanath Rai expressed confidence about Congress' victory and said, "All the MLAs in the district have been working for development and using government funds for various works. The voters will surely recognize their work and vote for Congress. BJP, out of fear of losing, has been making irresponsible statements which will not be supported by the intelligent people of this district. Congress is confident of winning both zilla and taluk panchayats by a vast majority."
116 candidates are fighting it out for the 36 zilla panchayat constituencies in Dakshina Kannada district whereas 361 have entered taluk panchayat election fray for 136 seats. A total of 1,166 voting machines are being made use of for these elections, and the number of voters in the district is 10.49 lac. The district has 422 sensitive and 221 super sensitive polling booths, where additional security arrangements have been made.
Udupi district has been divided into 26 zilla panchayat constituencies, and 77 candidates are trying their luck this time.For 98 taluk panchayat seats, 233 candidates have filed nominations. This district has 54 naxal-infested booths,136 sensitive booths, and 51 super sensitive booths. The total electorate in the district happens to be 7.94 lac.
Because of election, general holiday has been given for all central and state government offices,nationalized banks, LIC offices and other offices located in rural areas on February 20 to enable employees to cast their votes.