Hassan:  Accusing Hassan DC Priyanka Mary Francis of ‘working in favor of BJP,’ Karnataka PWD minister HD Revanna has urged the Election Commission to transfer her from the district to ensure free and fair counting of votes scheduled on May 23. He has alleged that Hassan district election officer is working as 'BJP agent' after Priyanka Mary Francis suspended three polling officials over allegations of allowing fake votes to be cast at Holenarsipur's Paduvalahippe booth.

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Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Revanna, whose son Prajwal Revanna is contesting as the Coalition Candidate on a JD(S) ticket from Hassan LS seat, alleged that Priyanka Mary Francis was working as an agent of the BJP. Questioning the timing of the suspension and the delay in filing a complaint, Revanna said, "The DC is working as an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I doubt there will be a free and fair election process if she (Francis) is the district commissioner. She has suspended these officials but why no action was taken against the CRPF personnel who allowed the people to enter inside the booth on April 18? I will write to the CEO requesting to transfer the DC."

Revanna has been demanding for DCs transfer. Revanna also alleged that the previous DC Rohini Sindhuri had been in touch with Mary Francis and she had been ‘instructing’ her on the decisions. Further alleging that Mary Francis never took action against poll agents despite repeated complaints, he said that he would write to the Election Commission against the DC.

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