Date:15/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031554170400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

BJP to move Supreme Court for early elections

Special Correspondent

Party to file petition in court next week
‘Water scarcity being used as an excuse for delay’

BANGALORE: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday said it would file a petition in the Supreme Court next week seeking that Assembly elections be held in the State before May 28, the six-month deadline for President’s Rule.

Addressing presspersons here, BJP State president D.V. Sadananda Gowda and the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said the decision was taken because of an alleged conspiracy by the Congress to put off the polls.

Mr. Sadananda Gowda alleged that Janata Dal (Secular) national president H.D. Deve Gowda was indirectly supporting the conspiracy.

Mr. Yeddyurappa alleged that the Congress was using Governor Rameshwar Thakur to put off the polls and said, “The State administration is building a case to seek postponement of elections.”

He produced copies of an email sent by the Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence) to all Inspectors and Deputy Superintendents of Police (Intelligence) on the possibility of the drinking water shortage in the State leading to protests that would have an impact on the law and order situation.

“This is clear evidence that the administration is trying to put off the polls by using drinking water scarcity as a reason that could throw the law and order situation out of gear,” he said.

Mr. Yeddyurappa and the former Water Resources Minister K.S. Eshwarappa will visit Hogenakal on March 16 to inspect the site where Tamil Nadu plans to establish a power project.

Three join party

The former Union Minister Basavaraj Patil Anwari, the former MP K.G. Shivappa and the former MLA M.Y. Patil joined the BJP on Friday.