From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 26: In a case of tit for tat, the JD(S) hit back at the ruling BJP for its petition before the Election Commission for violation of poll model code of conduct against former chief minister and State JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy over his announcement of party candidates after visiting Ajmer Darga and filed its own complaint for misusing the State administrative machinery and violating the model code of conduct by issuing advertisements on various schemes in the run-up to the elections to the State legislative assembly on May 5.
The BJP had accused the JD(S) leader of trying to woo the minority Muslim community by making poll-related promises from a religious place, which was against the model code of conduct.
Apparently attempting to settle scores with BJP, the JD(S) in its petition before the Election Commission alleged that the ruling BJP Government in the State was issuing advertisements on the Sakala programme in the electronic and print media to woo voters.
Submitting its petition with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anil Kumar Jha, the JD(S) asked the Election Commission to issue a notice to Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar and take suitable action against him and the Government for violation of code of conduct.
It also sought action against State BJP President and MP Prahlad Joshi for making defamatory statements against the judiciary, the UPA government and the Prime Minister.
Later, Joshi tendered his apology for issuing “unparliamentary” statements against the judiciary and the UPA government, the JD(S) petition said.
The JD(S) alleged that the BJP violated the poll code by wooing voters in the name of religion.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, H N Ananth Kumar, MP, Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas and Joshi visited the Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore on March 22 and later launched the party’s poll campaign, which the JD(S) alleged violation of model code of conduct.
It urged the EC to take action against Shettar, Joshi, Kumar and Ramdas for using the religion to garners votes.
“No political party should appeal voters by using temple, shrine or church,” the petition said.