By-poll: Siddaramaiah wants change of machinery

Former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah, who is contesting a by-election from the Chamundeshwari Assembly segment (Mysore) as a Congress candidate, has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to replace the Mysore district administration staff as he fears the polls may not be conducted in a free and fair manner.

"The coalition government is misusing the official machinery to favour its candidates in the elections. I will urge the ECI to adopt the Bihar poll model wherein election officials and observers were brought from other states," he told reporters here on Tuesday.

The election has been necessitated due to Siddaramaiah's resignation from this Assembly segment prior to joining Congress. He had won the election on a JD(S) ticket. The ECI is yet to announce the calendar of events for the by-election.

"The government has posted officials to favour the coalition candidates. I am not hopeful of the elections being held in a fair manner," he added.