Two professors of Mysore University were suspended for campaigning for the Congress and Siddaramaiah. Prof BP Mahesh Chandra Guru of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism and Prof Aravinda Malagatti of Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) have been kept under suspension for publicly canvassing for the Congress and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
According sources, the two professors had allegedly participated in a programme hosted by Hindulida Vargagala Vedike and Pragathipara Chinthakaru — a campaign programme for CM Siddaramaiah in Chamundeswari constituency near Ramakrishna Circle at Mysuru on April 13.
Following the district election officer’s direction, the varsity registrar reportedly recommended to the in-charge vice-chancellor C Basavaraj to suspend them for violation of the model code of conduct.
In another development a former JNU student, who has been active in Bahujan students’ movement for the last 20 years, has entered election fray from Anekal reserved (SC) Assembly constituency in Bengaluru rural district. Srinivas Gundappa (38) has masters in political science and a doctorate in Human Rights from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) where he pursued the doctorate at Center for European Studies in ‘Comparative study of human rights in China and India.
Mayawati has appointed him as in charge of North Karnataka region for the ensuing polls. Now, he will take on sitting MlA B Shivanna of Congress and BJP’s A Narayan Swamy. The BSP and the JD(S) have an alliance to fight both the Congress and the BJP.