Political Correspondent - Bangalore

BANGALORE, April 13: IRON-ORE rich Bellary district and stronghiold of ruling BJP's mining lords -- G Janardhana Reddy, G Karunakar Reddy (both cabinet ministers), G Somashekara Reddy, MLA and their close confidant B Sriramulu (also a cabinet minister) -- continues to maintain its dubious record in the largest number of violations of the model code of conduct in Karnataka since the commencement of the electoral process.

Out of the total number of 1,207 cases of violations registered so far all over the state, the largest number of 242 have been recorded from Bellary district in terms of seizure of cash, liquor and goods with the total value estimated at Rs 9.85 crore followed by Rs 1.18 crore in Bidar and Rs 1.05 crore in Shimoga

Incidentally, the ruling BJP topped the list with as many as 92 violations followed by Congress  55, JD(S) 38, BSP 8, CPM 3, NCP 1 and others 73. The CEO's Office has  received 653 complaints regarding electoral rolls in the state. 

According to Karnataka's chief electoral officer M N Vidyashankar, the total value of cash, liquor and goods seized by the police and excise officials in the state from the 1,207 cases was Rs 13.98 crore.  The other prominent districts, which figure in the list of violations are: Shimoga  113, Chamarajanagar 107, Belgaum 93 and Raichur 79.