Mangaluru: Convening party meeting or holding any type of political programmes at Circuit House is against the guidelines, but this is a lesser known fact because till date, the Circuit House been recognized as only a mere ‘adda of politicians’.
Circuit House can be used by elected representatives to hold their departmental meetings by inviting officials or to hold press conferences. Besides that, elected representatives or government officials can stay in this building when they are in service. It should not be misused by any private persons or by political parties. However, ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the JDS organised party meeting, to discuss the party’s internal issues on Sunday, March 3.
“Holding meetings or programmes of the political parties is strictly prohibited, ” reads a board at Circuit House, but who cares!
Well, when it comes to showing their clout at the Circuit House, it is not just the JDS, in fact each and every party has broken the rules from time to time. Let alone the violations of holding political events, a source from the Circuit House informed this reporter about how ‘VIP Canines’ were also hosted at the circuit house during a recent Dog Show that was held in Mangaluru!
“Those were dogs of a VIP. They were kept in the new air-conditioned room, which is meant for that VVIPs in the Circuit House,” said a source on conditions of anonymity.
When the issue of JDS’ party meeting held at circuit House was raised with JDS district president Mohammed Kunhi, it irked him. Speaking to newskarnataka.com, he said that it was not the party meeting as claimed, but was only a formal meeting with party supremo.
Action will be taken: DC Sasikanth Senthil
When contacted, Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said that holding any party meeting or programme at the Circuit House is against the law. “The Public Works Department (PWD) is looking after the management of Circuit House and they have been allowing to hold such meetings. I have already instructed the party leaders and our officials, not to hold or permit such meetings in future. Strict action will be taken, once the election code of conduct is enforced”, he said.
