The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Rosaiah’s poser places CEO in tight spot

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Rosaiah’s poser places CEO in tight spot

Special Correspondent

Minister for change in model code rules

HYDERABAD: A poser by Finance Minister K. Rosaiah placed Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao in a tight spot on Saturday.

Mr. Rosaiah walked into the chamber of Mr. Rao in the Secretariat and sought to know from him whether a speech or statement made by him on politics either at a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan or at a public meeting, in his capacity as senior leader of the Congress, would amount to violation of model code.

He said he was an official spokesman of the Congress and chairman of its campaign committee, apart from being a primary member contributing subscription regularly. He knew that he, as Minister, could not speak about politics in the Secretariat as the election schedule was already announced. But, rival political parties were grudging even if he spoke at Gandhi Bhavan.

Mr. Rosaiah complained that there were too many restrictions on the Chief Minister and Ministers and sought change in model code rules so that all of them could freely express opinions on issues.

He said the CEO also must clarify the rule position whether a political party could bring out a draft manifesto and pose it for public debate before issuing the actual manifesto as done by the Telugu Desam. Mr. Rao despatched Mr. Rosaiah’s representation to the Election Commission. He told reporters later that the Chief Minister and Ministers played a “dual role” during elections and he would clarify the rule position after ascertaining with the EC.

Political matters

He disclosed he had obtained visuals of the press conference addressed by the Chief Minister at the Secretariat on Friday on political matters and would send it to the EC to verify whether it amounted to code violation.

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