Draw of lots for Dasara Ahara Mela ends in chaos; officials suspend process following protest by applicants

The draw of lots to allot stalls for the Dasara Ahara Mela turned chaotic at the Jaganmohan Palace auditorium on Thursday, leading officials to suspend the process temporarily. The event, part of Mysuru Dasara 2026, saw a massive response with around 680-700 applications received. Mysuru City Corporation Additional Commissioner Veena, the Deputy Special Officer for the Dasara Ahara Mela, initiated the lottery system despite objections from the Mysuru Dasara Food Mela Vendors' Association.

The association had requested authorities to prioritize vendors who had participated in the food mela over the past 15 years. Veena announced that stalls would be given to approximately 100 applicants, with an additional 20 stalls kept as reserve. However, after around 70-80 stalls had been allotted, some applicants protested against the perceived lack of transparency and favoritism, disrupting the proceedings.

The officials eventually suspended the draw, and the frustrated vendors marched to the MCC office on Sayyaji Rao Road to lodge their protest. S. Nagaraju, president of the Dasara Ahara Mela Vendors' Association, criticized the lottery system and alleged the submission of multiple applications by certain applicants, which could compromise the fairness of the selection process.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has urged Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy to ensure a fair, transparent, and impartial allocation of stalls for the Dasara Ahara Mela. Wadiyar expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and fairness in the process, urging the authorities to adhere to clearly defined criteria and eligibility norms.