Udupi: Pejawar Swamiji votes - 'Do not want to give wrong message'
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)
Updated
Udupi, Mar 7: Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, who had earlier said that he would not vote, changed his mind, perhaps out of media pressure, and cast his vote later in the afternoon at Thenkupete ward here on Thursday March 7.
Speaking to media persons he said, "As the media has now highlighted the issue, I do not want to give any adverse messages to the public and society by not casting my vote, hence I have changed my decision."
He asserted, "The decision is purely mine and no party or persons have forced or influenced me."
Swamiji had expressed his decision not to vote as he was unsure whom to vote for, and because he felt these elections were not so important.
Voter turnout
The Udupi CMC polled 71.14 percent, Kundapur TMC 76.15 percent, Karkala TMC 76.16 percent and Saligrama registered 77.53 percent polling.
Overall, 74.99 percent of the electorate cast their votes in the district.
Dr Boralingaiah (SP) said that the polling was largely peaceful and no cases of security violation were reported officially.
However, scuffle broke out between BJP and Congress workers at Chitpady after BJP candidate Naveen Bhandary was allegedly found paying money to voters. The issue was sorted out later.
DC Dr M T Reju confirmed that no cases of malfunctioning of EMVs or other untoward incidents were reported in the district.
Earlier Report
Udupi: District records 35 percent turnout by noon, Pejawar Swamiji decides not to vote
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM/DV)
Udupi, Mar 8: In Udupi district, by noon the percentage of voter turnout stood at 35.21, with Udupi CMC recording 32.58 percent, Kundapur 31.7 percent, Saligrama 39.61 percent and Karkala 36.96 percent.
The voting went on peacefully.
Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Oscar Fernandes who came along with wife Blossom to vote at Ambalpady ward, expressed confidence that Congress would win this election. He also urged all people to cast their votes and said that it is primary duty of every citizen.
Meanwhile Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math chose to stay away from the election. Speaking to media persons, he said that he was in confusion over whom to vote for, and decided not to vote at all.
"I am not opposed to voting. I go to vote every time there is election, and this is the first time that I have stayed away. These elections are not so important, but I will vote during the Assembly elections," he said.