The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Dharam Singh predicts snap polls

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Friday, Sep 14, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Dharam Singh predicts snap polls

Special Correspondent

State Election Commission draws criticism
‘Government should act against land grabbers’

N. Dharam Singh

BANGALORE: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh has said mid-term elections to the Assembly will be held soon as Janata Dal (S) president H.D. Deve Gowda has decided not to hand over power to the BJP next month.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, he said the JD (S) leaders had been issuing contradictory statements on transfer of power to the BJP. The Congress was against a tie-up with the JD (S) to form the next government in October. The party had been gearing up for mid-term elections, the former Chief Minister said.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy held talks in New Delhi on transfer of power to the BJP in October. He said, “anything will happen on October 3.” Mr. Dharam Singh said during his visit to New Delhi early this week, he called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi and apprised her of the political situation in the State.

He criticised the State Election Commission for its decision to hold elections to urban local bodies on September 28. The elections would be held on Friday, when Muslims go to mosques to offer prayers. The Election Commission acted at the behest of some political party and announced the date for the elections. The commission’s decision would adversely affect the voting pattern of Muslims, he alleged.

Mr. Dharam Singh alleged that Katta Jagadish, son of Minister for Industries Katta Subramanya Naidu, was involved in grabbing government land. The Joint Legislature Committee headed by A.T. Ramaswamy, Janata Dal (S) MLA, said that Mr. Jagadish had encroached upon government land in Chikkanagamangala.

However, Mr. Jagadish on Wednesday dismissed allegations made by the committee and said it was an attempt to tarnish his and his father’s image. Officials of the Revenue Department had suppressed information and misled the panel, he alleged.

Mr. Dharam Singh criticised the Chief Minister for not initiating action against 282 persons who had grabbed land in and around Bangalore. The panel would lose its sanctity if the Government did not take action against those who grabbed government land, he alleged.

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