Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami (right) addressing the press in Bangalore on Tuesday. Chief Electoral Officer M.N. Vidyashankar is seen.
Mr. Gopalaswami, who held a meeting with Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer M. N. Vidyashankar, Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao and Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of 17 districts which are going to the polls in the first phase on April 23, said Mr. Yeddyurappa had prima facie violated the model of code of conduct.
Mr. Vidyashankar has been directed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the issue and submit a report to the commission. Based on the report, the commission would take action against the Chief Minster as per the law.
Asked what action the commission would take if the Chief Minister was found guilty, Mr. Gopalaswami said a criminal case would be registered and a court of law would decide the action.
Mr. Yeddyurappa toured Dharwad district on Monday to campaign in favour of the BJP candidate and by the time the Chief Minister completed his speech, it was 10.20 p.m. However, sources in the BJP said the Chief Minister had only held a meeting with well-wishers and did not hold an election meeting beyond 10 p.m. Referring to the Hindu Samajostava organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Mr. Gopalaswami said district election officers have been instructed to take action against those who indulged in inciting communal incidents. “No chance will be given to disturb communal harmony in the State,” he said.
With regard to allegations about diversion of World Bank funds for election purposes by the ruling party, he directed the Chief Electoral Officer to conduct a probe into it. However, there was no truth in the charge that the Bellary Deputy Commissioner had allowed the BJP to hold an election meeting on a temple premises at Chellagurki in Bellary district, he said. About allegations of the involvement of some officials in election campaign and allotment of piece-work by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, he directed Mr. Vidyashankar to conduct further inquiry into the charges.
Stating that the Election Commission had not received serious complaints of violation of the code, Mr. Gopalaswami said the police and excise official had seized liquor worth Rs. 31 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh in cash in 305 cases.
On a complaint related to delay in granting permission to hold public meetings by the authorities concerned, Mr. Gopalaswami directed the district-level authorities to work in a coordinated manner to avoid such delay. Referring to the appointment of heads to various boards and corporations, he said those appointed could assume offices only after the completion of the election process. Asked about distribution of temporary ration cards, he said temporary cards could not be used as a document by people to cast their votes.
In the morning, Mr. Gopalaswami held a meeting with representatives of various political parties and sought their suggestions for peaceful conduct of elections.
Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Ajai Kumar Singh and officials of the State Election Commission attended the meetings.
