Rajeev Chandrasekhar to challenge denial to vote

Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said that he will challenge the Congress’ efforts to prevent him from voting during the mayoral elections on Wednesday.

During the elections to the mayor and deputy mayor’s posts, Chandrasekhar and Lok Sabha member P C Mohan were denied voting on the grounds that they were late.

In a press release, Chandrasekhar said he was at the all-party meeting till noon to discuss the Cauvery issue. “According to me, the Cauvery water issue takes precedence over mayoral elections. Along with other MPs and MLAs, Mohan and I were at the meeting till noon and rushed to the BBMP Council meeting immediately thereafter. By the time we reached, we were told we were late and stand disqualified to vote for the deputy mayor -  for which the voting process was yet to begin.”

He said the Congress leaders – ministers and MLAs – left the meeting on the Cauvery issue even before the chief minister could make his final remarks. “By walking out mid-way, rather than participating in the meeting to discuss and resolve the Cauvery issue, they have proved that voting in the mayoral elections and not solving the Cauvery issue is their priority,” said the MP.