Mysuru: Dismissing former Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad’s charges made in his (Prasad) book on Nanjangud by-poll that was released here on Wednesday, District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa has said that Prasad’s charges of the Congress Government spending huge sums of money during the by-poll was totally baseless.

Addressing a press meet at the Government Guest House in Nazarbad this morning, Dr. Mahadevappa said that Prasad could have complained to the Election Commission (EC) if there were any electoral malpractices, including distribution of money and liquor.

Replying to Prasad’s another charge that he (Mahadevappa) had made the DSS to revolt against him (Prasad) during the Nanjangud by-poll, the District Minister said that he was one of the main promoters of the DSS and he was the one who was associated with the dalit organisation for decades.

Refuting Prasad’s claims that he (Mahadevappa) was behind the DSS decision not to back him (Prasad), Dr. Mahadevappa asserted that he never used the DSS for divide and rule strategy, as alleged by Prasad.

Referring to JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda’s challenge to Siddharamaiah on polls, he said that, in a democracy, it is ultimately the people who will decide on electing a rejecting a candidate.

Maintaining that in a democracy, everyone had the right to level charges against opponents, Dr. Mahadevappa said that such a system showed the vibrant nature of democracy and without freedom of expression, there can be only dictatorship and democracy has no place.

Referring to a question on BJP taking credit for inclusion of Talawara and Parivara communities under ST category, Dr. Mahadevappa said that the Centre acted on the recommendation of the State Government and as such the BJP cannot hijack the credit.

Commenting on the State Government’s recommendation to the Centre for separate Lingayat religion tag, the Minister said that the Government had made the recommendation based on numerous representations made by the community Mutts and Seers and the Government had no self-interest in the recommendation.

Referring to the Supreme Court ruling barring immediate arrests in SC/ST atrocity cases, Dr. Mahadevappa said that the Apex Court had issued the order only to prevent misuse of SC/ST Atrocities Act.