The candidates of three prominent political parties of south teachers’ constituency, contesting forthcoming elections to the Legislative Council on June 10 have one thing in common. They are testing their mettle for the third time.
Incumbent MLC Marithibbegowda is seeking re-election for the third time, but on Janata Dal (Secular) ticket, while S M Gurunanjaiah of BJP is contesting the polls from the same party-BJP. However, Congress’ M Lakshmana is new to the constituency. He had previously contested unsuccessfully from graduates constituency and also Assembly elections from Chamaraja constituency as an independent.
In the case of Marithibbegowda, he had contested previous two polls as an independent. In an interaction with media on Tuesday, organised under the auspices of Mysore District Journalists Association (MDJA), Marithibbegowda listed the teachers welfare programmes that saw light of the day during the tenure of H D Kumaraswamy as chief minister. He claimed that there is some change at least, pertaining to the teachers’ woes, when compared to his initial days as elected representative.
Special pay for teachers and most importantly, curbing transfer mafia — introducing counselling for transfers too, during the tenure of Basavaraj Horatti as education minister among other programmes will definitely work in my favour, said Marithibbegowda. M Lakshmana went a step ahead by announcing that he has identified five grievances that could be addressed in six months, if he was successful in the polls.
“Or else I will step down as an MLC,” he promised. He claimed that his candidature was announced eight months ahead of the polls enabling him to tour extensively and meet the voters personally, another tactic that would bring him rich dividends. Lakshmana said, of the total 4,200 educational institutions in Mysore, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan districts, which form the constituency, he has already visited 3,900.
Most importantly, according to Lakshmana being a teacher by profession gives him an edge over his rivals. Successive governments in the past — irrespective of party — have failed to identify the problems. He promised to replicate teachers welfare policy of Punjab and Kerala in Karnataka.
S M Gurunanjaiah, a lecturer for 36 years, who retired as HoD, chemistry from JSS Mahavidyapeetha a few months ago, claimed that the sympathy of losing previous two polls and also hard work will propel him to the upper house of the state legislature.
What will cut ice with the voters is the good deeds of the BJP-led state government. The budgetary allocation to the education department has also grown at Rs 15,000 crore. Besides, lecturers of polytechnic and engineering colleges have also been benefited with the salary on the lines of AICTE.
Aid for specially-abled
Specially-abled voters among teachers who are willing to bring assistants to help them cast the vote may inform the returning officer or assistant polling officer before June 7.
A release from the office of regional commissioner, who is also the returning officer, says interested should furnish details of nature of handicap, name of constituency, part number and serial number. The voters should sign a declaration and only one person will be allowed to accompany the voter.
MLC to move EC
Marithibbegowda took exception to recent announcement of education minister Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri that ‘teachers will be benefitted if they vote for BJP.’ He announced that he would lodge a complaint with the Election Commission as it amounts to violation of poll code of conduct.
Congress leader Siddaramaiah who recently resigned as leader of opposition, will campaign for the party nominee in south teachers constituency from June 7, said M Laksmana who himself is the candidate.
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