For the first time, former Lokayukta Justice Santhosh N Hedge — who had declared that he will neither contest elections nor support any political party — endorsed his support for a political candidate.
Expressing his support to Dr Ashwin Mahesh, who is contesting the elections to the Legislative Council, Hegde said, “I was against Team Anna campaigning during elections, as it would amount to taking sides. There are a lot of corrupt politicians. By backing Ashwin, I have the opportunity to show the right and honest candidate to the graduate voters.” “The attitude of honest people finding it difficult to spend money for elections. can be changed by infusing people like him,” Hegde added.
At a press meet here on Wednesday, Ashwin expressed confidence of winning the elections, which is scheduled to be held on June 10.
“The number of graduate voters registering for the elections in the last two years is 60,000 and 1.15 lakh respectively,” he added. He lamented at the poor voter turnout during the polls. “If 50 per cent of graduates participate in the polls, competition will be intense.”