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Parties intensify campaign as deadline nears

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BS Reporter Chennai/ Mysore
Last Updated : Mar 04 2013 | 12:16 AM IST
With hardly 48 hours left for the open campaign to end for the urban local body (ULB) polls scheduled on March 7, political parties have intensified campaign to woo voters.

Among those who have campaigned are Congress leaders led by former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah, BJP leaders including former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Janata Dal (S) leaders led by state president and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and KJP leaders led by former minister Shoba Karandlaje. The Congress party released its manifesto on Saturday promising to declare the area around Chamundi Hills which was recently caught up in a major controversy leading to the transfer of then deputy commissioner P S Vastrad and an inquiry over his issual of a controversial land coversion order, as a buffer zone, conserve heritage structures, secure geographical indication (GI) tag for certain products of Mysore and multi-level car parking lots, if it came to power. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has promised a detailed probe too into the Chamundi Hill land issue if it is voted to power in the coming Assembly elections. He led a colourful roadshow in the city on Sunday along with local Congress leaders, addressing voters on the way. BJP leaders, including district incharge minister S A Ramadas and former minister Vijayashankar are knocking the doors in different wards making personal appeal to voters, while on March 1 Sadananda Gowda released the party's manifesto and expressed regret over the 'Operation Kamala' launched when B S Yeddyurappa was the chief minister.

Ramadas too has made promises like houses for shelterless, a children's city near Lalitha Mahal Palace, and inauguration of Autonagar.

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JD(S) received a shot in the arm with former minister and BJP leader G T Deve Gowda rejoining the party at a massive rally on February 25 in the presence of party leaders like Kumaraswamy, his wife Anitha Kumaraswamy and legislative party president H D Revanna. Deve Gowda is campaigning for the party.

Kumaraswamy highlighted his achievements when he was chief minister and expressed confidence of winning in Mysore and a few other cities in the ULB polls.

While the election machinery all geared up to ensure fair and free elections, the state election commission has tightened the screws and is strictly enforcing the code of conduct.

Following a complaint by former Congress minister Tanvir Sait, deputy commissioner Rame Gowda has relieved an MCC assistant commissioner, who is functioning as a returning officer. Illegal party flags and flexes have been removed. The DC has instructured poll officials to strictly enforce the code of conduct warning they would be held responsible for any lapses.

Strict instructions have been issued to all parties and candidates to end the public campaign at 7 am on March 5. SMS messages and release of advertisements too have been banned. He has directed all outsiders who have come to the city to return to their places and asked police to check hotels and other lodging places and ensure non-voters are not staying.

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First Published: Mar 03 2013 | 8:23 PM IST

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