The Hindu : `No compromise on code implementation'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`No compromise on code implementation'

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUPATI, MARCH 14. The Chief Election Commissioner, T. S. Krishnamurthy, on Sunday reiterated that the embargo clamped by the Election Commission would not apply to the ongoing schemes, drought relief and emergency welfare programmes, the schemes which were launched before the announcement of the election and those which were already shown in the budget for the current fiscal. He was answering a query at a media conference on the confusion over the election code and the reported move by the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, to take up with him the issue to seek exemption for the `welfare schemes' from the EC's ban.

On the criminalisation of politics, the CEC said that already clear-cut guidelines were issued in this regard and pointed out that for instance those who were convicted and sentenced for five or more years by a court of law for any criminal offence stood disqualified to contest the election for any seat. He said some more recommendations aimed at decriminalising politics were also sent to the Centre and its nod awaited.

On the row over the booklet `100 maasala pragagi' published by the Telugu Desam Party allegedly misusing funds from the exchequer, he said the complaint was being examined and asserted that there would be no compromise on the implementation of the election code, provisions of the Representation of People's Act and the Constitutional aspects in any manner. On the view that the Election Commission should step in and stop political parties using the Italian nationality of Sonia Gandhi as an election issue, evading a direct answer, Mr. Krishnamurthy said that the EC would examine whether there was any provision in the RP Act or elsewhere.

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Andhra Pradesh