Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda, who was camping in Hassan in Karnataka in violation of the Election Commission's code of conduct, was forced to leave the town by electoral authorities.

Acting on the basis of a tip off about Gowda's presence, defying the EC directive to leaders of political parties to stay away from constituencies, barring its candidates, Returning Officer Subbaraya Kamat rushed to the spot where the JD-S leader was staying and asked him immediately to move out of the town.

Gowda, irked by the restriction, not only protested, but even contacted an officer of the Chief Electoral Office in Bangalore for clarifications.

But neither the Returning Officer nor the officer of the Chief Electoral Office was convinced by the arguments put forth by Gowda, who had to leave the residence of former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, H K Javaregowda, where he was taking rest.

Gowda, who was headed for Holenarasipura, where his son H D Revanna is locked in a fierce battle with Congress's G S Anupama, poured out his displeasure over the EC's action.