Yeddyurappa asks EC to appoint central observers for Mandya,Hassan and Tumkur LS seats
Bengaluru, Mar 28: The BJP's Karnataka unit Thursday requested the Election Commission to appoint central observers in Mandya, Hassan and Tumkur Lok Sabha seats, as it suspects that Chief Minister H DKumaraswamy would misuse the state machinery to suit the electoral needs of his son, nephew and father.
Unit chief B S Yeddyurappa in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner has pointed out that there are precedents of the election commission appointing special central observers in addition to the present official set up in highly volatile constituencies.
"In the wake of heat being generated in the elections in these three constituencies owing to high profile contestants, my sincere request is the commission should appoint central observer to each of the constituencies to guide and supervise ground level officials in conducting elections impartially," Yeddyurappa said in his letter.
"I hope the CEC will take cognizance of my request and post senior officials as observers in these three constituencies," the former chief minister said.
While Kumaraswamy's father and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda is JD(S) candidate from Tumkur, his son NikhilKumaraswamy and elder brother H D Revanna's son Prajwal are party candidates from Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha seats respectively.
Highlighting the volatility of elections in Mandya, Hassan and Tumkur Lok Sabha constituencies, Yeddyurappa alleged there was every possibility ofKumaraswamy misusing the state official machinery to suit the electoral needs of his son, nephew and father in these three constituencies.
Pointing out that hurdles were created on the day of filing of papers by independent candidate Sumalathain Mandya Lok Sabha seat, he said "Kumaraswamy and his party leaders have a track record of allegedly mis-utilising the official machinery in the past."
"In the coming days as we approach the polling day, things may start going wayward forcing the people to suspect the conduct of elections in a free and fair manner in these three constituencies," he added.
In Mandya, Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil is pitted against multi-lingual actress Sumalatha Ambareesh, who is the widow of actor-politician M H Ambareesh.
Having been denied ticket by the Congress with Mandya going to the JD(S) due to coalition compulsions, Sumalatha iscontesting as an independent candidate.
She has the support of BJP and many disgruntled Congress leaders who are upset over their party ceding the seat to the JD(S).
In Tumkur Deve Gowda is pitted against BJP's Basavaraj while Congress rebel candidate and sitting MP Muddahanumegowda has also filed his nomination.
Prajwal has been fielded against A Manju of BJP, who quit Congressafter the party ceded the seat to JD(S).
Mandya, Hassa and Tumkur will go to polls in the first phase on April 18, and the last date for withdrawal of nomination is March 29.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Himanta Biswa Sarma files nomination from Jalikbari constituency
Guwahati, Mar 20 (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma filed nomination papers on Friday, seeking re-election from the Jalukbari constituency for the sixth term in a row.
Sarma was accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, son Nandil Biswa Sarma, BJP's Gauhati Lok Sabha MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi and Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania.
Before reaching the Kamrup (Metropolitan) District Election office to file the nomination, the CM, atop an open vehicle, led a large procession from the Veterinary Field at Khanapara to the election office at Hengrabari, a distance of about 5.6 kms.
The BJP leader got off the vehicle at Last Gate in Dispur, walked for a few minutes, and then entered another vehicle to reach the office of the district commissioner cum district electoral officer.
He was greeted along the way by traditional 'gayan-bayan' (a group of traditional devotional performers), Bihu dancers and drummers.
ALSO READ: Congress, Raijor Dal finalise alliance; state party gets 11 seats
Thousands of people from his constituency, the majority of whom were women, braved incessant rains since last night to accompany Sarma in the procession.
Sarma's wife was seen taking a selfie with him and their son in the vehicle.
Prior to setting out to file the papers, the chief minister sought the blessings of his mother Mrinalini Devi.
''Auspicious occasions should always begin with mother's blessings. Though I don't get to spend much time with her these days, her blessings always power me to continue serving Aai Asomi (mother Assam),'' Sarma said in a post on X.
After filing his papers, Sarma urged people to bless him and all candidates of the BJP and its two alliance partners -- the AGP and the BPF.
He thanked the people of his constituency for coming from far and near despite the heavy rain.
ALSO READ: Man dies after 'assault' following bar brawl in Alappuzha; five held
The CM said that several new areas have been included in his constituency, which was realigned during the delimitation exercise.
''It will take some time to get the people of these areas, but I am confident that they will bless and support him,'' Sarma said.
He said that it will not be possible for him to campaign extensively in his own constituency, as he has to go to other seats for canvassing.
''The party workers will take care of my campaign.... I will also try to go and Riniki (his wife) will also visit some places,'' he said, adding that he will address five to six meetings in a day.
Regarding campaigning by national leaders, Sarma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address three meetings and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address six to eight. A meeting will also be held this evening to finalise the plan.
Sarma has represented Jalukbari under the Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency since 2001 and seeks to retain it for the sixth consecutive term in the polls.
He first contested this seat in 1996 as a Congress candidate, losing to late AGP leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan by 17,000 votes but he wrested the seat from him in 2001, winning by a margin of 10,000 votes.
Sarma's winning spree continued, and the victory margin kept increasing in each poll, and he achieved a record win by 1,01,000 in 2021. He joined the BJP in 2015.
The last date for filing of nomination papers was March 23, scrutiny of papers will be held the next day, and the last date of withdrawal is March 26.
Elections to the 126-member assembly will be held on April 9, and the votes will be counted on May 4.
_vb_05.jpeg)
_vb_30.jpeg)