FISTICUFF IN CONGRESS MEET;

Hell broke loose here yesterday as the congress leaders sat in a meeting to announce the list of candidates for contesting Zilla and Taluk panchayath elections.

Pandemonium broke between the supporters of the standing MLA from Somwarpet B.A.Jivijaya and former ZP president K.P.Chandrakala. A table was broken, abuses were heard and members were pushed around. The leaders turned the audience cool as the situation turned to fisticuffs.

Sanjay, the son of MLA B.A.Jivijaya who has become a candidate verbally attacked K.P.Chandrakala. She said candidates from her side, including her are denied tickets with political motivation. Several constituencies at Somwarpet like Sunticoppa, Napoklu , Hangal had more and complicated candidatures.

Members with influence letters from Veerappa Moily and other leaders were pressing for tickets. Calls after calls were made to KPCC president Mallikarjuna Kharge, on whose decision couple of members was allotted seats.

Observers Munivenkata Reddy and Narayanappa, former minister M.M.Nanaiah, DCC president Veena Achaiah and others were present. While all the lists were finalized one last name for the Somwarpet taluk rural constituency would be finalized toady as hectic political influences stalled the decision.

Picture: People scene outside congress meeting hall.

ALANGUR STOPS ABBI HYDEL PROJECT;

District in charge minister Alangur Srinivas has instructed the Deputy Commissioner to stop the project until he visits the place.

He has sent a letter to the DC stating that he has to personally inspect the spot as the project has been creating disturbance.

Meanwhile the Deputy Commissioner has said that he has not received any instruction from the government. If the government which has okayed the projects wishes to stop it, I will abide by the order, he said. He also disclosed that he will hold a special meeting immediately after the election to finalize another project at irpu water falls at South Kodagu.

Irpu Hydel project was stalled after people staged strong protests against it earlier. The DC said that he will discuss the matter with the people.