Mangalore, February25, 2013: High drama was witnessed in Mangalore City Corporation today as JD(S) workers objected to the candidature of Congress candidate Appilatha who has been given the Congress ticket to contest from Jeppu ward (ward no 59). The JD(S) workers contended that Appilatha who happens to be a two-time and sitting corporator from the same ward, was dismissed from state government service and as per the election rules a candidate who is dismissed from government service is not eligible to contest the elections.
JD (S) leaders like M G Hegde, Shashiraj Shetty, Gopalakrishna Attavar had gathered in the office of the election officer objecting her nomination. At the same time Appi along with her supporters and Congress leaders like Ivan D Souza, Vinay Raj, Ashraf and many others had also gathered in the office of the election officer and there was a heated exchange among the Congress and JD(S) workers.
JD(S) leaders came with the copy of the dismissal order of Appilatha in support of their objections. However, Congress workers contend that the dismissal order showed the name of Appilatha whereas the name of the Congress candidate from Jeppu is Kumari Appi. There is no proof to show that Kumari Appi and Appilatha is the same person because her father’s or mother’s name is not mentioned anywhere in the records shown by JD(S).
The Election Officer however, rejected the objections of JD(S) and allowed Appi to contest. When contacted Congress leader Ivan D Souza said that JD(S) has failed to substantiate its objections with solid proof. Not to be outdone by the decision of the election officer, JD(S) leaders are bent upon proving their allegations and vowed that “they will not allow Appi to contest”.
The BJP leaders came up with another similar objection against another Congress candidate from Kambla (ward no 29) Ganesh, alleging that Ganesh has failed to pay the rent due to the Corporation for many months for the shop he owned in a commercial complex owned by the City Corporation. Congress leader Ivan D Souza promised that he would ensure all the dues are cleared. The BJP however, argued that even if the dues are cleared Ganesh should not be allowed to contest as he is under an active contract with MCC. The election officer has withheld his decision on this issue till tomorrow, February 26 morning. It remains to be seen whether the objection of the BJP will be sustained or dismissed.
