Hubballi: Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar left his partymen open mouthed at an election rally in Savalagi village of Jamkhandi taluk on Tuesday when he held out an incentive for the people to vote for the Congress, saying they would in return see the road between Savalagi and Jamkhandi asphalted.
“I have one condition to complete the Savalagi-Jamkhandi road repair work in three months. You should vote for our party candidate. Mere claps for my promise will not work. Is it all right if we enter into such a deal with you?” Dr Parameshwar asked the assembled people, surprising several Congress leaders on the dais with him at the rally.
Some did try to intervene to tell him that his comment could amount to a violation of the election code of conduct.
But the Deputy Chief Minister dismissed their advice, saying he was not there to make any policy statement. Justifying his speech, he claimed he had only spoken about development of the constituency.
This however, did not stop BJP leaders from charging that his speech amounted to a clear violation of the model code of conduct. .
Speaking to reporters later, Dr Parameshwar claimed there were no differences between Congress and JD(S) leaders in Ballari and the ticket had been given to Mr V S Ugrappa after taking the local leaders into confidence.
He also maintained that allegations of rape made against Karnataka Congress in-charge, K C Venugopal would not harm the party as they were politically motivated and he was ready to deal with them legally.
Speaking on the occasion, former Minister, M B Patil alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party had tried to lure several Congress legislators with the offer of Rs 25 crore each and declared that the coalition government in the state would last its full five year term.
