DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION TESTS CANDIDATES PATIENCE;

District administration yesterday proved its inefficiency in organizing counting of votes leading to confusion, lathi charge and skirmishes.

Counting which should have been over by afternoon observed unreasonable delay as it prolonged to late night. Officials returned home in the wee hours.

Though Madikeri has only 22 Panchayaths with 277 posts and 755 candidates, the results were not out even until midnight.

Police resorted to mild lathi charge at Virajpet before the counting center as unrestful crowd went fisticuffs. Counting of 34 Panchayaths were over by midnight.

Somwarpet has more number of Panchayaths i.e., 39. Party leaders blamed the official negligence as only 17 tables were organized for counting resulting in delay. However confusion prevailed among officials as more of them were ordered to come to Somwarpet for assistance. Confusion again rocked Madikeri and Virajpet counting booths as officials from these centers were asked to go to Somwarpet.

Meanwhile, a candidate Mr.C.M.Nanaiah died at of heart attack at Mysore . He collapsed at Kodagarahalli, his constituency and was shifted to Mysore.

In another incident, a candidate P.Ramani of Besagur made away from the counting booth with his ballots! His action came as he sensed defeat from his rivals. A complaint was lodged in this regard.

Though the results of all the constituencies are being declared today, the prtywise figures are unavailable. However BJP is claiming supremacy, while congress and JDs are also stating that their candidates have won majority of seats.

TIGER FEASTS OVER COWS;

P.Chengappa of Mutlu village near Galibeedu has complained that a man-eater eats two of his cows.

He stated that the cows went into the forest for grazing did not return. Subhash, a taluk Panchayath member said that the tiger has killed two buffaloes hardly a fortnight ago. He has demanded compensation from the forest department.