EC censures Karnataka CM for 'wilful' violation of model code

The Election Commission on censured Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa for 'wilful violation' of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of bye-elections in the state and advised him to be more careful in future.

The Election Commission on censured Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa for “wilful violation” of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of bye-elections in the state and advised him to be more careful in future.

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The EC had earlier issued a notice to the Chief Minister to explain for the poll promises made by him during a visit to Kollegal assembly constituency which is going to polls on Tuesday along with four other constituencies.

The EC has pointed out that the Chief Minister made a number of promises to the electorate like making available loans to farmers to buy cows, buffaloes, gave approval to development schemes for girijans and declared certain districts as drought affected.

Yeddyurappa in his reply said the programmes were already announced in the state’s 2009-10 budget.

The EC said in its order that though it was not aware whether all schemes were already implemented on ground or not, it found that at least the promise of arranging loans to villagers from the banks for purchase of cows and buffaloes and promise to declare Chamarajanagar district as drought affected were new promises.