The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Probe purchase of voter identity card’

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Thursday, May 08, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Probe purchase of voter identity card’

Special Correspondent

Sharad Yadav promises law against graft

‘Time for people to give a resounding verdict against money and muscle power’
JD(S) will ask for fast track courts to try corruption cases against prominent people

Bangalore: Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav has urged the Election Commission to look into reports that electoral photo identity cards are being duplicated and genuine cards are being forcibly purchased from weaker sections of society by some party candidates and others.

Mr. Yadav told presspersons here on Wednesday that steps should be taken against purchase of cards by workers allegedly belonging to the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (Secular). The influence of money in the election campaign and the related activities had become evident with the reported incidents of violation of the election code of conduct, he added.

The Congress, the BJP and the JD(S) were responsible for political instability, social insecurity and the overall decadence of public life in the State for three years. They had “fielded money bags as their candidates instead of value-based and qualified human beings.”

It was time for the people to give a resounding verdict against money power, land, sand and iron ore mafia and anti-farmer policies of the two coalition governments.

When the public could unseat the corrupt in Bihar, the people of Karnataka could dictate a sound political order in the State, Mr. Yadav said.

The JD(U) whether in Government or in the Opposition would press the Government to enact a legislation to confiscate “ill-gotten” wealth of corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, police and other officials and mafia elements.

It would seek the authorities concerned to establish fast track courts for facilitating speedy trial of corrupt people, he said.

The party had given a number of non-Congress Prime Ministers. It was responsible for giving respectable chief ministers such as the late S.R. Bommai and J.H. Patel. It was unfortunate many promising leaders in the country and the State had deserted the party.

But the party, committed to fight for the public cause, would continue with its commitment irrespective of its strength in Parliament and the State Assemblies. Public support to the party in Bihar and elsewhere had reinforced its moral strength, Mr. Yadav said.

Appealing to the people to elect his party candidates, he said the JD(U) had believed that the policy of Special Economic Zone was suicidal and the entry of big capital in retail trade whether Indian or foreign would lead to unemployment and human tragedies. The Congress and the BJP had been in favour of this anti-people policy which should be rescinded, Mr. Yadav said.

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