Yadav lambasts political parties

Bangalore, dhns:  JD(U) National President Sharad Yadav on Wednesday lambasted all the political parties, including its NDA ally, BJP, for the extreme use of money power in the election. Addressing reporters here, he said, “I haven’t seen such a ‘naked show’ of money power anywhere in India as in Karnataka. The election is a conglomeration of land mafia, sand mafia and mining mafia. People are preparing fake voter ID cards, distributing money, liquor, sarees and television sets to woo voters.”

He said only the Janata Dal has given maximum number of prime ministers after Congress to the country.

“Charan Singh, Morarji Desai, V P Singh, I K Gujral, Deve Gowda and Chandrashekhar - these former PMs were all from JD family.”

BSP plaint to EC

Bangalore, dhns:  The BSP candidate of Chickpet Assembly constituency, L R Ananth, has complained to the Election Commission that BJP and Congress candidates in his constituency were trying to woo voters by distributing gifts both in cash and kind. Addressing reporters after meeting the EC officials, he said such malpractices will derail the election process and create doubts about the conduct of free and fair elections.

Plea by sexual minorities

Bangalore, dhns: The Karnataka Sexual Minorities’ Forum has asked parties to consider their demands as well.

Members of the forum visited various parties with their appeal. They said it was heartening the parties expressed a positive interest on issues of concern to the sexual minorities.

Creating poll awareness

Bangalore, dhns: To educate the masses and to create more awareness on the importance of exercising one’s franchise, Karnataka Ownership Apartments Promoters Association (KOAPA) has launched a public awareness drive across the City. With the support of its members, KOAPA has put up more than 100 hoardings across the City calling out to people to cast their vote in the Assembly elections.

Lokayukta Santosh Hegde launched the KOAPA public awareness campaign in the presence of Mr Balakrishna Hegde, President, KOAPA and other key KOAPA members - Ramani Sastri, Sushil Mantri and Faisal Rizvi.