Manju approaches EC with plaint against Hassan DC

Urges poll panel to transfer her to free and fair elections

The tussle between district incharge Minister A Manju and deputy commissioner Rohini Sindhuri has continued, with the minister lodging a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against the DC.

Manju has filed a six-page complaint with the Election Commission, which states, "The DC has filed a false FIR against me, though I have not violated the model code of conduct. This has hurt me and my supporters. If the polls are to be conducted in a free and fair manner, the DC should be transferred out of the district. The EC should direct the DC to withdraw the false FIR filed against me".

But, the DC justified her action, saying, "Apart from his Bengaluru office, the minister is not supposed to use his office in the district. After the incident of the minister misusing his office was published in a section of the media, a probe was conducted. It was confirmed that a few officials had been working at his office, after the poll code came into force. A notice was issued to the minister, seeking a clarification, but his reply was not convincing. Hence, an FIR was registered against him".

In another incident of poll code violation, the minister has tampered with the documents, changing the date of the meeting for allotment of lands to bagair hukum cultivators and distributed the documents to beneficiaries.

"This is an attempt to attract the voters, which is a clear violation. Hence, a show cause notice was issued to the minister. I have also recommended the suspension of a tahsildar who supported the minister in the violation. The next action will be taken after the minister replies to the notice," Rohini said.

In connection with the violation of EC norms, Mysuru Regional Commissioner Shivayogi C Kalasad visited Hassan on Tuesday. He collected information from PWD executive engineer Nagaraju, election officials Ravi and Pundarika. He also held discussions with Rohini in this regard.