Date:24/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/24/stories/2007052407770400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Congress to move poll panel against Yediyurappa

Special Correspondent

Party has taken exception to Yediyurappa's assurances

BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh has said the Congress would lodge a complaint with the Election Commission against Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa who, he alleged, had violated the election code of conduct by making a statement that the BJP would adopt the Ullal constituency if the electorate blessed the party candidate in the byelection to be held on June 2.

Mr. Singh told presspersons here on Wednesday that Mr. Yediyurappa's statement amounted to breach of the code of conduct. The Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Finance portfolio, had given several assurances to the electorate of Ullal, obviously to garner votes for the party candidate Chandrashekar Uchil.

The party would consult legal experts in a couple of days and would knock at the doors of the Election Commission for "immediate action" against Mr. Yediyurappa, he said.

It may be recalled that the Election Commission had reprimanded Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for violating the model code of conduct in Chamundeshwari byelection. Mr. Singh said the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda had now indulged in poll gimmick to woo voters of Goa. The Vasco police had seized unaccounted Rs. 9 lakh, sent for election expenses by the Janata Dal (S), in a raid on the Bogmolo beach resort in south Goa, he said.

Mr. Deve Gowda staged a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Old Goa on Tuesday to protest against the alleged harassment of party office-bearers by election officials and police in Goa on Sunday. The Janata Dal (S) has fielded 10 candidates for the elections.

Mr. Singh said many Pre-University colleges had denied seats for students following the high pass percentage in the SSLC examination this year. The Government should make arrangement for admission of students hailing from rural areas and take steps to eliminate the donation menace in colleges.

Mr. Singh also opposed the Government's proposal on abolition of the Common Entrance Test (CET) for admission of students to professional courses. The Government had surrendered a large number of seats to private professional colleges, he alleged.

Asked about the "sidelining" of the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the party, Mr. Singh said it was left to the party high command to decide on providing a suitable position to him (Mr. Siddaramaiah). Mr Singh denied reports that Mr. Siddaramaiah was upset over being ignored by the party.

The Opposition leader also denied reports that Mr. Siddaramaiah and his followers in the Congress were proceeding to Delhi to call on the top leaders of the AICC.