K'taka MLC poll: BJP MLAs violate model code of conduct in Belagavi; slow pace of early voting

Voting for the election for Legislative Council election from North West Teachers Constituency and North West Graduates Constituency began on a slow note on Monday. However, violations by BJP candidates and supporters was alleged in several constituencies.

BJP MLAs Abhay Patil and Anil Benake violate MCC in Belagavi

BJP MLAs Abhay Patil and Anil Benake violated the model code of conduct during polling for the election for Legislative Council from North West Teachers Constituency and North West Graduates Constituency at polling station at Visvesvaraya Nagar in Belagavi on Monday.

Both constituencies are spread across the districts Belagavi, Bagalkot and Vijayapur. Voting is being held at 190 polling stations.

While Benake entered the polling station and used his cellphone inside the premises, Patil greeted voters standing in queue seeking support for BJP candidates Arun Shahapur and Hanumant Nirani from teachers and graduates constituencies respectively.

Benake alleged that Congress was using illegitimate ways to woo voters and were offering teachers constituency voters Rs 10,000. He said that the party has filed a complaint with election authorities on the issue.

The Teacher's constituency has 12 candidates in the fray. It's expected to be a triangular contest between BJP candidate Arun Shahapur, Congress candidate Prakash Hukkeri and independent N B Bannur. The constituency has 25,388 voters.

The Graduates constituency has 11 candidates in the fray. It is primarily a contest between BJP candidate Hanumant Nirani and Congress candidate Sunil Sank. The constituency has 99,598 voters.

The heavyweights of BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) have been campaigning for their respective candidates.

Meanwhile, the BJP late on Sunday accused Congress candidate from teachers constituency Prakash Hukkeri of distributing cash to lure voters. Rs 17.40 lakh was found in cash in a car at Vijayapur and an event at Chikkodi town was being used to distribute the cash.

Voting on sedate note in Dharwad

The voting to the Karnataka West Teachers constituency in erstwhile Dharwad district began on a sedate note on Monday. After the first three hours, only 14% voting was registered.

The constituency is heading for a straight fight between BJP nominee and former MLC Basavaraj Horatti and Congress candidate Basavaraj Gurikar. Polling is being held at 77 polling booths across Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttara Kannada. There are a total of 17,500 voters.

Violations in Hubballi, board with Modi's photo near poll booth covered

Congress leaders alleged the poll code was being violated after a person sporting a badge with BJP candidate Basavaraj Horatti's photo entered the polling station at N R Desai Rotary Kannada Medium School at Deshpande Nagar in Hubballi.

Congress candidate Basavaraj Gurikar said that officials should not allow such things to happen. "We will think about lodging a complaint with EC," he said

JD(S) candidate S N Gadadinni also alleged that Horatti's supporters violated guidelines, and he would take the matter up with officials.

"Horatti has misused power and violated the model code of conduct, may be due to fear of defeat," he added.

Meanwhile, the board of a Janaushadhi centre near the polling station that carried the photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was covered, after Congress leaders raised objection. Board of an astrology centre with the image of a hand (a Congress symbol) was also covered.

Horatti, Gurikar claim trend in favour of them

Legislative Council former chairman and BJP candidate in Council elections from Karnataka West Teachers' Constituency Basavaraj Horatti was confident that he had the mandate and would get 70% votes.

Meanwhile, Congress nominee Basavaraj Gurikar also said that he was sure of wining in the first round of counting of votes. Both of them claimed that teachers were in favour of them.

On the matter of poll violations, Horatti said that opponents making allegations was natural and he would stay away from politics and not react unless allegations against him were proved.