KADUR : Barring stray incidents of group clashes and mild lathi charge in some places, bye-elections to the Kadur Assembly constituency, necessitated due to the death of Congress MLA K M Krishna Murthy, passed off peacefully on Monday. The voter turnout was estimated at 68-70 per cent.
Polling in Doddabukkasagara, E Rangenahalli and Emmedoddi constituencies, which were declared as hyper-sensitive by the administration, was by and large peaceful.
At Emmedoddi, women lined up in a long queue to exercise their franchise. Out of the 813 votes there, nearly 325 votes were cast by noon. Many surrounding villages like Chikkalaghatta, Galigutti, Sabarapet, Shivapur and Bhovi Colony were tagged to the Emmedoddi polling booth.
Speaking to reporters, Eerabhovi, a villager, complained that their area lacks transport facilities, proper roads and hospitals. No representative elected so far had done little to improve the condition, he alleged.
In Chikkangala, centenarian woman Gowramma of Kannenahalli came walking to the booth on her own and exercised her franchise. But some youth, who were enthusiastic to vote for the first time, were disappointed to see their names go missing in the voters’ list.
Boycott of voting over money
Voters of Kedigere, falling under Hirenallur Hobli, boycotted voting in the morning because they had not been given money as assured by different party leaders. The voting resumed later at 9 am after the election officers convinced them. Surprisingly, village heads were at the forefront of the boycott.
Stone pelting at Lakkenahalli
Mathighatta, which was till last elections a strong bastion of Congress, witnessed some anxious moments when brawl arose between the Congress and BJP supporters, culminating in stone pelting. The mobile police arrived on the scene and brought the situation under control.
Lathi charge in Lakshmipura
JD(S) supporters who attempted to stop distribution of money to voters of Lakshmipur were allegedly beaten up by Sakarayapatna police sub inspector Vasanth Kumar. On learning this, JD(S) candidate Y S V Datta arrived at the scene and staged a dharna along with supporters on the Kadur-Mangalore Road.
Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar Vikas, who rushed to the spot, held talks with Datta and assured him of taking action against PSI Vasanth Kumar, who had reportedly transgressed his jurisdiction. Datta then asked his followers to help in smooth polling.
Speaking to reporters, Datta alleged that C T Ravi camping in a house on the border village adjacent to Kadur constituency sent his men to distribute money to Lakshmipur, which resulted in a scuffle between JD(S) supporters and BJP workers. “Sakarayapatna PSI, at the behest of C T Ravi, mercilessly thrashed JD(S) workers. Gram panchayat member Venkatesh, Chandrappa, Eerabhovi and Annaiah were severely injured. Even women in the houses were not spared,” he added.
“There is fear of rowdies taking revenge in the cover of night. Protection must be given to these people. PSI must be kept under suspension. Other wise, JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda along with local leaders would stage an agitation in front of the SP’s office in Chikmagalur on Tuesday,” he cautioned.
By 4 pm, the total voter turnout was reported at 64.5 per cent. Assistant Commissioner K A Dayanand said the final percentage of polling might be around 70 percent.
