Karnataka Gram Panchayat polls: Of bizarre moments, voodoo tricks
Some bizarre incidents were witnessed on the day of polling for first phase of GP polls
HUBBALLI: Some bizarre incidents were witnessed on the day of polling for first phase of Gram Panchayat polls in various districts of north Karnataka on Friday. For instance, people of Hireharakuni, a hamlet in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district, exercised their franchise after obtaining resignation letters from 13 candidates who have contested for five seats.
They also secured an undertaking from the candidates that that their resignation letters would be accepted if they resort to corruption, or fail to ensure implementation of various government schemes. Besides, the villagers contributed to a corpus to help meet the expenditure of all candidates rather than allow them to spend during electioneering.
The anti-corruption panel, formed by several youth and elders in the village, kept a close watch on campaigning activities of these candidates. The villagers were also successful in keeping all political parties out of the election process. Thus, the village has become the role model for the entire district at a time when poll-eve malpractices are common in rural areas.
“We had adopted a similar method of receiving resignation letters from all candidates before they enter the fray during Gram Panchayat elections in 1990. We have put conditions to candidates that their resignation will be accepted if they are involved in corrupt activities.
“We have initiated the move to root out corruption which is major hurdle for growth of villages and to reach benefits of government schemes to poor people,” said Veerabhadrappa, a senior citizen of the village.
In other areas of north Karnataka, including Hiremalligawad Gram Panchayat, voodoo was witnessed even as voters in Jagalur and Chikkavaddatti of Gadagi district boycotted the election demanding basic amenities and Gram Panchayat status to their villages. Much to his shock, Santosh Totad, a contestant in Hiremalligawad, found rice, vermilion, chillies, lemon and other materials strewn on agricultural land belonging to him.
Upset with such an incident, villagers have set to all such materials found on his land, and even threatened to boycott elections. Later, voting was held peacefully following the intervention of local police officers.
