The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : EC curbs on Ministers' movements

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 26, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

EC curbs on Ministers' movements

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 25. The Election Commission, acting upon a complaint by the Congress, has imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Ministers with particular reference to T. Devender Goud (Home) and K. Srihari (Major Irrigation), at the same time upholding their right to stay anywhere in the State on polling day.

The Congress complained to the Chief Electoral Officer, M. Narayana Rao, on Saturday that the two Ministers were `camping' at Bhimavaram and Kakinada with money bags containing Rs. 20 crores to woo voters in favour of TDP candidates in Narasapur, Undi, Attili, Palacole and Penukonda Assembly constituencies. Two other Ministers -- D. Sivarama Raju and K. Subbarayudu -- are the candidates for Attili and Narsapur seats. The Congress wanted the CEO to ensure free and fair elections by recalling the Ministers to the State capital.

The State election authorities on Sunday stated that the Ministers `would have to remain' wherever they were on polling day. They must not move out from the place of stay or visit a place, much a less a polling station. They were also barred from undertaking any political activity if they stayed in a Government guesthouse and from holding any meeting with officials. Regardless of the place of accommodation, they should not summon officials, especially those connected with elections.

The Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Ajay Sawhney, told reporters that the Collector of West Godavari, the DGP and IG of the range, had been asked to submit a report forthwith to the CEO throwing light on whether the two Ministers held meetings with officials and whether they had exerted any pressure on them.

Dispelling fears about the possibility of the Ministers entering polling booths on Monday, he said strict instructions were already issued to the polling staff not allow anybody except four categories -- the contestant covered by the booth, his agent, press and polling officials.

Telugu Desam leaders countered the Congress complaint with its own demanding the Election Commission to disqualify its leader, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. They alleged that he had continued campaigning on Saturday beyond 5 p.m. at Nandikotkur in Kurnool district and that he had appealed to people not to pay power bills which amounted to a revolt against the Constitutionally established Government. Mr. Sawhney ruled out disqualification at this stage but said, the matter was referred to the Election Commission. If the charge was correct, it could be cited in an election petition later, he added.

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