The KSP, which has taken on itself the task of championing the cause of Kannada literature, culture and language through its annual sahitya sammelans, now finds its reputation besmirched: allegations of the sammelans -- held all over the State -- being politicised have been gaining ground over the years. The recent Kanakapura sammelan, for instance, was dominated by politicians.

However, this year's decision to name the main dais of the fifth District Kannada Sahitya Sammelan at Station Ganagapur in Afzalpur taluka after Venkaiah Kusayya Guttedar, a prominent arrack contractor in Gulbarga and its surrounding districts, has left a bitter taste among litterateurs.

Guttedar is the late father of State Minister Malikayya Guttedar.

The writers haveexpressed their displeasure by boycotting the conference, which began on Saturday. Several writers and progressive groups have opposed the sammelan's ``criminalisation'' and asked participants to boycott it.

In a joint statement, several writers have said that the naming of the dais after Guttedar marked the downfall of Kannada culture. ``No writer with self-respect would want to associate with this sammelan'', the writers said. They have, however, welcomed the selection of well-known novelist Geeta Nagbhushan as sammelan chairperson.

Meanwhile, district Communist Party of India (Marxist) committee secretary Maruti Manpade, Bahujan Samaj Party State vice-president Vitthal Herur and Congress leader M Y Patil have, in a joint statement, condemned the Sahitya Parishat for ``mortgaging its interests to excise contractors and criminals''. They pointed out that several persons of the Guttedar family associated with the organisation of the sammelan have criminal cases against them.

The KSP's district unit has,on its part, refuted allegations against the Parishat with regard to the organisation of the conference. It said in a statement that the conference was not politically motivated and issued a general appeal to ``uphold the parishat's dignity.''

Superintendent of Police P Ravindranath told The Indian Express that additional forces have been sent to Station Ganagapur in view of the volatile situation. He said the KSP office-bearers had apprehended disturbances, in view of which they have been assured of police bandobast.