Election officials search car of BJP leader S M Krishna

This comes close on the heels of subjecting Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's car and convoy while he was bound to Karwar and Mangaluru for election campaign yesterday.

Reacting sharply to the Checks by the Election Commission officials, Kumaraswamy had alleged that he was subjected to such check for more than 13 to 14 times during his travel from Bengaluru. "Not only they are checking my car and convoy, even they have checked houses and vehicles of my family members. It is nothing but harassment to the common people by BJP who is misusing the Election Commission machinery. But during search they did not get anything and had to return empty hand," he told newsmen at Karwar on Thursday.

Former Chief Minister Krishna, who was with Congress for more than 40 years and joined BJP by remaining silent in 2013 Assembly election, has decided to campaign actively for BJP candidates in Hassan, Tumakuru and Mandya. He want to be more actively campaign in his home District Mandya to prove his influence and ensure victory of Independent Candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh, for whom the party has extended full support without fielding candidate. Nikhil, son of Kumaraswamy is the candidate supported by coalition partners in the State, Congress and the JDS.

The Election Commission officials had even searched Resorts and offices of JDS candidate Nikhil in Mandya District recently and camped in the District to keep close watch to prevent any violations of the election code of conducts.