EC cracks whip on leaders

​Hyderabad: The Election Commission on Friday cracked the whip at senior leaders of the TRS, Congress and TDP for allegedly indulging in verbal duels with harsh comments. Notices were served on TRS senior leader T Harish Rao, Congress working president A Revanth Reddy and party leader O Pratap Reddy and TDP leader Revuri Prakash Reddy. They were asked to respond to the notices within 48 hours.

Based on the complaints lodged by the respective parties, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajat Kumar issued notices to the leaders under Section 27 which accorded powers to the commission to take action against the persons who created political nuisance by making objectionable statements against the others. The commission issued notices with documentary evidences and asked as to why the action should not be taken against them for violating the election rules.

In a recent meeting, Congress leader Pratap Reddy, who is pitted against TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao from Gajwel assembly segment, made wild allegations against Harish and the latter also responded in the same manner. Prakash Reddy and Harish also locked horns, hurling abuses at each other. Revanth also made wild allegations against Harish Rao.

The CEO warned all political parties and the leaders that they should maintain restraint or they would have to face action. He said the commission will book criminal cases if anyone uses harsh language. Nobody is above the law and law will take its own course, Rajat Kumar said and expressed concern over the increase in the number of cases involving verbal clashes among leaders in the state. Three poll-related violence cases were also registered, and 176 persons have been injured in the incidents.

The CEO said that the IT observers will arrive one day before the notification for the conduct of the elections is issued on November 12. The Commission will keep a strict vigilance in every assembly segment and the expenditure the candidates spend.