Karnataka: Srinivasprasad gets two notices for breaking model code of conduct

Mysuru: Former minister and BJP candidate for Nanjangud constituency V. Srinivasprasad was handed two notices for violation of the model code of conduct by retuning officer G Jagadish on Monday and asked to reply within 24 hours.

Mr Prasad has been charged with violation of the code of conduct during his campaign in the run-up to the bypoll to the Legislative Assembly from Nanjangud constituency.

Mr Jagadish mentioned in one notice that according to a report published in a Kannada newspaper, the former minister reportedly handed over Rs 100 to Mrs Puttathayamma at Devarasanahalli during his campaign in violation of the model code of conduct.

In the second notice, though Mr Prasad had taken permission to address a rally in Badanavalu, he did not keep his word and used the campus of a local school to address voters in violation of the model code of conduct.

Meanwhile,  BJP district general secretary, Mr Umesh Kumar, lodged a complaint with Mr Jagadish against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for reportedly stating in his address at a rally in Bengaluru on Sunday that his government proposed to introduce an exclusive law to increase the reservation quota in education and jobs  for SC/STs to 72 percent during the ongoing session of state legislature.

Mr Umesh Kumar has alleged that the statement tantamount to violation of the model code of conduct issued ahead of bypolls to two Assembly constituencies on April 9.

He has alleged that Mr Siddaramaiahs made this statement in Bengaluru on Sunday to influence the voters and to create an uncongenial atmosphere for the BJP candidate.

Shivanna joins BJP
Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Mr Kagalwadi M Shivanna joined the BJP during a road show held by state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa at Shindanapura gram panchayat in Gundlupet taluk on Monday.

Mr Yeddyurappa welcomed him and handed over the party flag. Later, he joined Mr Yeddyurappa to drum up support for party candidate and former minister V Srinivas Prasad in various gram panchayats in Nanjangud Assembly constituency.  Mr Shivanna, who was elected to Lok Sabha on JD(S) ticket in 2004, joined the Congress later and served as chairperson of Safai Karmachari Commission.