Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Dec 28: The district JD(S) on Monday December 28 levelled a serious allegation against the Congress that the latter's party leaders had 'distributed money' among its own supporters during polling for MLC elections on Sunday December 27, to 'lure' them into voting for its official candidate Pratapchandra Shetty instead of independent or other candidates.
It may be mentioned here that former Congress members Jayaprakash Hegde and Harikrishna Bantwal, unhappy with the party's choice of candidate, contested as independents and were ousted from the party. Both of them, especially J P Hegde, are known to have a considerable number of supporters among the Congress party workers.
Addressing a press meet here, JD(S) district president Mohammed Kunhi said, "Congress distributed money to voters who are supporters of the party to vote in favour of its candidate Pratapchandra Shetty. In places like Bantwal, Beltangady, Puttur and Hiriadka gram panchayat, voters were given amounts ranging from Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.
"No political party has ever stooped so low in Dakshina Kannada district. Congress has come to a position where it needs to bribe its own supporters to vote for its candidate," he said.
"We have filed a complaint with the Election Commission and also informed JD(S) state president H DKumaraswamy and national president Deve Gowda," he added.
Asked if he had any proof to support his allegation, Kunhi said that a gram panchayat member of Hiriadka who was lured by the Congress himself informed JD(S) about it.
Moving on to other issues, he said that JD(S) is contemplating tie-ups with Left parties for the upcoming zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections. "Zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections will be announced on January 11 or 12. We will discuss with leaders of Left and other parties, except BJP and Congress, regarding tie up.
"People of the district are fed up with the Congress administration. The district administration and the ministers are backing the rampant sand mafia and even Congress leaders are involved in it," he alleged.
Regarding ban on the entry of Dr Zakir Naik and forced suspension of 'Dilwale' movie in the city, he said, "There are several outifts rampant in the city and the administration has failed to control them. Even during former CM Yeddyurappa's tenure, law and order did not deteriorate to such an extent in the district. The ministers were campaigning and giving all kinds of assurances. We suspect that along with Bajrang Dal, Congress too is trying to create violence in the district."
He also said that prior to elections the district administration did not give proper information about voting system to facilitate the procedure.
Corporator Azeez Kudroli, JD(S) MLC candidate Praveen Kumar Jain, corporator Rameeza Nasir and others were present.