JOIN USMP seeks expert panel to weed out money power
Sitting MP and Congress candidate from Mysore-Kodagu constituency in the recently concluded parliamentary elections A H Vishwanath on Tuesday demanded the constitution of an expert committee to eliminate the influence of money power during elections.
Addressing the media in the city, Vishwanath asserted that even after the Election Commission had made all efforts to curb the influence of money power during the elections, it was still playing a major role, albeit in a silent manner.
Vishwanath said that money had been pumped in despite opening check posts and the appointment of expenditure observer during the elections. Some mechanism has to be worked out weed out the money power. "Earlier, though both muscle and money power were at play at the time of elections, except for stray incidents, there are no grave incidences of muscle power in the recent past."
Continuing, Vishwanath said that experts from different fields should be involved in the committee to discuss both theoretical and practical aspects of checking the menace, by organising debates and deliberations on the issue. That apart, continuous programmes should be chalked out by the Election Commission to attract more number of voters towards the polling booths.
Reacting to media queries (on the role of money), Vishwanath who evaded a direct reply said, "I am also a part of the political system". Saying that there was "match fixing" between Janata Dal (Secular) and BJP, Vishwanath however strongly denied that his own party (Congress) leaders too were a part of it.
“A true Congressman who believes in the democracy and spirit of the nation will never join hands with rival parties,” he said.
He also denied that his own party MLAs Vasu (Chamaraja) and Venkatesh (Periyapatna) worked against him. Vishwanath strongly condemned blaming of a particular caste (Vokkaliga) as it was against the spirit of the grand old party.
Vishwanath confident of victory
Sitting MP A H Vishwanath who is seeking re-election, on Tuesday exuded confidence of winning the elections, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s developmental works playing a major role in his victory.
Addressing the party workers at a thanksgiving meeting organised at Siddappa Choultry in Ittigegud in the city, Vishwanath predicted that the party would have secured more votes in NR, Chamundeshwari, Periyapatna and Hunsur constituencies. "I was in constant touch with the party workers who have worked with equal enthusiasm to ensure the victory," he said.
He downplayed the chances of BJP led national democratic alliance (NDA) coming to power in the country, especially with Chief Ministers Jayalalitha (Tamil Nadu) and Mamatha Banerjee (West Bengal) turning down the alliance with that party.