A man, reportedly a Janata Dal (Secular) supporter, was seen distributing liquor sachets to people, who attended a rally addressed by party president H.D. Deve Gowda, at Hirisave in Channarayapatna on Sunday.
Mr. Gowda urged people at the rally to vote for JD(S) candidate C.N. Balakrishna.
A man was seen distributing liquor sachets that he carried in a carry bag, near the venue.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, no case has been registered by the Election Commission in this regard.
When contacted, Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) of Shravanabelgola constituency Nataraj told The Hindu that he had received information about arrangements being made to distribute liquor at the rally.
He informed the flying squad, constituted to monitor violation of the model code of conduct, to go to the rally and take appropriate action.
ADVERTISEMENT
‘No distribution’
“They visited the spot and informed me that there was no distribution of liquor,” Mr. Nataraj said.
C.N. Gangappa Gowda, who heads the team for Hirisave hobli, told The Hindu that he arrived on the spot as soon as he received information from the ARO.
He did not notice distribution of liquor sachets, he said.
However, photographs taken by presspersons clearly show a man distributing liquor sachets.