Karnataka polls 2013: Two candidates arrested for obstructing, threatening officials

Bangalore: Two candidates -- Muniratna Naidu (Congress) and Venkatesh Gowda (KJP) -- were arrested on Thursday for threatening and obstructing election officials in Rajarajeshwarinagar Assembly constituency in the city.

The arrests were made based on the complaint lodged by Returning Officer of the segment, K Jyothi, according to Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, Anil Kumar Jha. Elections to the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly are to be held on May five. "The two candidates were held for creating problems and threatening election officials", Jha told reporters here, adding, the Election Commission has taken "serious note" of this "grave act" of obstruction of duty. The candidates also obstructed videography by the EC, violating the model code of conduct. Both were produced before local courts. Naidu was granted bail while Gowda was remanded to 15 days judicial custody. PTI