MLC poll aspirants claim that money power at play

Mysuru, NT Bureau: Congress candidate Marithibbegowda has accused his JD(S) opponent B Vivekananda of using money power in the polls to the South Teachers’ constituency while former MLA and Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and former MLC Puttasidda Setty accused both Congress and JD(S) candidates of trying to lure voters by distributing money.

Meanwhile, KPCC spokesperson M Lakshmana accused JD(S) and BJP of spending crores in the MLC polls. Marithibbegowda exuded confidence that teachers will re elect him for a fifth term. ''I have worked hard to fulfil the various demands of teachers by prevailing upon the government to set right the disparity in wages besides ensuring guest lecturers job security,'' he said.

Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj condemned political parties for nominating their relatives, industrialists and political party representatives as candidates to the Upper House. Political parties wooing teachers with freebies is an insult to them, he felt and added that the government must honestly fulfil the demands of teachers who shape future citizens of the country.

Another candidate KC Puttasiddashetty accused the Congress of fielded a defector, Marithibbegowda(who was earlier in the JD-S) in the election while the JD(S) has put up a realtor and businessman.

Marithibbegowda failed to resolve the problems of teachers, he claimed. BSP candidate H R Mahesh accused successive governments of failing to improve educational standards from primary schools to universities.

Most universities are understaffed and the problems of teachers and students still remain unsolved, he claimed. K PCC spokesman M Lakshman appealed to teachers to elect Congress candidates without yielding to freebies being offered by NDA candidate to woo voters.