Karwar (DHNS): With Assembly elections fast approaching, publicity banners of political parties and government welfare schemes installed in different parts of Uttara Kannada are being brought down on a war-footing.

The Election Commission has instructed the deputy commissioners to be prepared as the election schedule can be announced at any moment. In turn, the deputy commissioner gave relevant instructions and accordingly, members of some local organisations and civic body began clearing the banners in the City, town and rural areas of the district from Friday itself.

For the past couple of months, banners of political leaders have been ruling the roost. Banners of people greeting political party leaders and of fairs, festivals, cultural programmess and sports activities involving political leaders were seen in every main area. This not only annoyed people but also disturbed them to an extent. But on Friday, all of these banners were cleared. Even the banners of government projects were painted white.

Meanwhile, some leaders cried foul in the act. “The authorities have shown discrimination in clearing the banners. The banners of the ruling BJP leaders were not removed while the banners and buntings with pictures of leaders of the Opposition parties have been removed,” alleged JD(S) leader Suraj Soni from Kumta.

Reacting to this, Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti said that the Election Commission has asked to make necessary preparations before the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. So, all that needs to be done immediately after the code of conduct comes into effect is being done in advance. There is no question of any discrimination in this.”