Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Apr 11: A delegation of BJP leaders from the state led by union ministers complained to the Election Commission against the hurdles and obstacles being created by officials for the judicious and peaceful efforts being made by them to undertake electioneering.They have sought the intervention of the commission towards clearing of these problems which arise out of the enthusiasm of officials.
A delegation led by union ministers, Prakash Javadekar and Ananth Kumar, along with BJP Karnataka in-charge, Muraleedhar Rao, former deputy chief minister, R Ashok, and state general secretary, N Ravikumar, submitted a memorandum containing the said demand to the commission.
Speaking to media persons thereafter, R Ashok mentioned about vacating of flags flying atop Hndu temples, externment of BJP activists from several districts including the city, and also forcing people to take down flags fluttering atop private buildings and houses. The leaders also sought the commission's intervention to allow BJP to hold programme of mass consumption of food cooked out of grains collected by the party from farmers during the 'Mushti Dhanya Abhiyan (campaign to collect fistfuls of grains)'. Ashok said that the chief election commissioner has promised to check the demands.
Chief election commissioner, Sanjeev Kumar, said that BJP has complained that problems were created for the touching down of the helicopter carrying state BJP president, B S Yeddyurappa, at Hospet although prior permission was obtained. He said that the commission will look into the complaint.
Clarification
On the issue of forcible removal of flags hoisted over temples in Udupi district, Sanjeev Kumar said that Udupi district deputy commissioner has clarified that none of the flags flying over the temples of that district had been removed by officials. "The deputy commissioner has clarified that officials did not enter temples or got flags removed. Only flags erected on the roads were removed as per her report," he stated.
About the complaint that BJP national president, Amit Shah, had handed over compensation of five lac rupees to the family of Raju, who was killed at Mysuru in violation of rules, he said that the deputy commissioner and police commissioner had conducted investigation. As this was not found to be satisfactory, the regional commissoiner there was asked to investigate, and during this period, the woman changed her statement, he said.