Even as the Election Commission has issued directions to remove names and photos of candidates displayed in public places, a bus-stand has been named after Janata Dal (Secular) candidate and former MLA C.S. Puttaraju, who is contesting the LS bypolls from Mandya constituency.
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has accused him of violating the model code of conduct and has urged the EC to initiate action against him.
Mr. Puttaraju had represented the Melkote Assembly segment twice and had lost to KRRS leader K.S. Puttanaiah in the recent Assembly elections.
Battlelines drawn
For the bypolls, the battleline has been drawn between Congress candidate Ramya and Mr. Puttaraju.
The previous BJP government had constructed a bus-stand at Holalu village in Dudda hobli in Melkote Assembly Constituency when Mr. Puttaraju was the MLA.
According to the KRRS leaders, until recently, there was an inscription at the bus-stand mentioning it was constructed at a cost of Rs. 7 lakh under the MLA Local Area Development Fund.
Renamed
However, a few days ago, it was renamed ‘Sri C.S. Puttaraju Bus-Stand,’ Shambhuna Halli Suresh, KRRS leader, said.
Action
When Mandya Deputy Commissioner B.N. Krishnaiah was contacted, he said: “We will take action against such developments.” Mr. Krishaniah also said that he would take measures to conceal the names of the candidates from the public view.
