Date:02/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/02/stories/2008030255450300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

RPI against polls before November

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The Republican Party of India (RPI) has said that Assembly elections should not be held before November because the electoral roll review will not be completed by then.

Speaking after the State executive committee meeting of the party here on Saturday, its State president M. Venkataswamy said that holding elections in May was also not acceptable because undergraduate students, who constitute a large number of voters, would have their examinations in that month.

The RPI is holding two rallies to mark the 50th anniversary of the party — one from Belgaum and another from Bidar.

It has also decided to float an alternative political forum by bringing together leaders of farmers’ organisations, Dalit groups and pro-Kannada and pro-people outfits.