A massive rally was organised at Madhugiri by the taluk Voters’ Forum, demanding all the political parties to give B forms to the local candidates.

Leaders cutting across the party barriers came forward here to show their strength and seek tickets for the local candidates in the coming Assembly elections.

Congress leader B V Nagaraj said, for the last 30 years outsiders are ruling and now, after the delimitation there are more chances for the outsiders to exhibit their strenght and sideline the local candidates in the forthcoming election. Hence, he said, the rally was being held across the taluk, to exhibit the strenght of the local leaders.

Taluk JD(S) President Tungoti Ramanna said, the mining owners and businessmen, who are willing to spend crores of rupees on election are entering politics in madhugiri. He said, such politicians bait the voters with money and liquor.

Hence, such men should be kept at bay and the local leaders should be given preferences, he urged.

BJP leader Nagabhushanareddy also urged the voters not to favour the outsiders.

Taluk SP President Mahesh, Cong leader M G Srinivasmurty, TMC former president Chandrashekhar, Tumkur Milk Union Vice President Kondavadi Chandrashekhar, Milk Union Director B Nageshbabu, TMC members M K Nanjundaiah, M L Gangaraju and Ganganna, APMC President P C Krishnareddy, Sri Raghavendra Nursing College Director Dr G K Jayaram and others who spoke on the occasion said that if the parties didn’t select the local candidates, local leaders will contest the election as indipendent candidates.