Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 5: The smoke of discontentment is found to be smouldering from the Third Front, with the CPI accusing the JDS of breaching its trust and working for the victory of the Congress Party candidate in Udupi-Chickmagalur constituency. CPI candidate from the constituency Radha Sundaresh has said, many JDS leaders in the last three days of the election, switched over their loyalties and sought votes for the Congress Party instead of the Third Front constituent, CPI.

The CPI leaders say, prima facie they have found that the JDS leaders canvassed for the Congress Party in this constituency. As Jayaprakash Hegde was earlier identified with the Janatadal, this can not be ruled out, Radha Sundaresh said. There are indications, that in a secret pact, the Congress put up a weak candidate in Hassan to allow the votes to go to the JDS there and in exchange thereof, the JDS worked for the victory of the Congress, particularly in Kadur, Chickmagalur district.

Radha Sundaresh said, the betrayal by the JDS leaders, driven with the sole aim of defeating Sadanand Gowda, BJP candidate, is not acceptable. “They used our vehicles and flags but sought votes for our rivals,” she fumed.

In an interview to English daily in Bangalore, CPI state secretary Dr Siddanagowda Patil accused the JDS activists of abandoning the CPI and seeking votes for the Congress Party candidates in the last five days of the electioneering. However, JDS general secretary Y S V Datta flatly denied that anything of this kind had happened.