In Karnataka the Assembly election campaign in 224 constituencies reaches crescendo as public campaign ends tomorrow evening. AICC President Sonia Gandhi, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra and addressed election rallies in today.
In Mangalore Constituency of Dakshina Kannada district Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a public gathering on behalf of Bharateeya Janata Party appealing the voters not give a re-entry to the Congress in the upcoming polls. He termed it as ‘Pink Revolution’ saying that to enhance meat exports from the country the UPA government is opening up avenues to set up more slaughter houses luring people with waivers and subsidies. He stressed the need for enhancing the production of fertilizers in the country and expressed disillusionment with the dwindling cattle population. He observed that it was only after BJP has taken reigns in Karnataka, communal violence and riots which earlier used to plague Mangalore and other parts of the state have ceased and peace returned.
It was other way round when Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was campaigning for Congress in Belthangady constituency. Prior to which he addressed the media in Mangalore bringing to the fore the stability plank saying that Congress is the only party capable of giving stable governance. He felt that the people in Karnataka are in for a change as without stability there can’t be any development. He underlined that the Congress Party has never spared the corrupt making its stand clear that the guilty must be punished.
Earlier today Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Gulbarga and alleged BJPs state government of corruption and misuse of central funds.She said that congress would provide a stable,transparent and responsible administration and work in favor of poor,minority,tribals and farmers.Union Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and former C.M. Dharm Singh also addressed the public meeting.
The election in one of the 224 constituency was countermanded due to the death of BJP candidate in Periyapattana in Mysore district. The election to this constituency will be held on May 28th. In Karnataka, the public campaign for the 223 Assembly constituencies scheduled on May 5 will come to an end tomorrow evening. The Chief Electoral Officer in the state Mr.Anil Kumar Jha asked media persons not to organise any opinion poll, analysis, survey or exit poll after tomorrow evening. The Election Commission has asked voters not to violate their rights by voting from two constituencies or exercising vote on behalf of someone. Those who receive graft and those who give gifts to the voters will be punished equally with one year jail sentence. As on today, 14.42 crore rupees cash, over 4.5 crore worth liquor have been seized and 2203 cases booked and 633 FIRs issued against the offenders.
Tomorrow is the last day of election campaign in Karnataka. The state goes to assembly polls on May 5.and the counting is on 8th.
