Shettar wants poll code relaxed

The BJP has sought the relaxation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the State, as the polling has already been completed across Karnataka.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar on Monday appealed to the Election Commission (EC) to relax the MCC as the restrictions were hurting the developmental activities in the State.

“The MCC is hurting the State by way of placing restrictions on the projects which are long overdue. In some cases, MLAs are unable to take up fresh projects in their respective constituencies,” he said.

Shettar said that the MCC had also hit farmers directly. Citing an example of the recent hailstorm, which was witnessed in parts of the northern districts of Karnataka and destruction of crops, Shettar said the government had been constrained by the MCC to even announce compensation and relief for the farmers.

He claimed that the bureaucracy was lording over the activities in the districts and causing problems to the people. He said not a single file had moved in the last one month and, if extended, the MCC would halt all the activities in the State.

Attacking the Congress, Bangalore North Lok Sabha aspirant D V Sadananda Gowda said governance had come to a halt in the State.

Gowda said the voting pattern, which was quite high, was an indication of change both at the Centre and in the State.


EC may relax model code of conduct

The Election Commission is said to be considering the request to relax the model code of conduct (MCC) to allow smooth functioning of the government.

“The Commission is considering the request. The decision, if any, will be made known in two to three days,” Ponnuraj, Officer on Special Duty at the Office Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, said on Monday.

Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee had recently written to the Election Commission urging it to relax the MCC following completion of polling in the State. Official sources said the Commission was not averse to lifting certain restrictions under the MCC.

Elected representatives may be allowed to carry out their work without influencing the people of the neighbouring states where polling is yet to begin, sources said.