Vijayawada: Cancel poll schedule, demands APCC president Dr S Sailajanath

Vijayawada: A team of Congress leaders headed by the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr S Sailajanath

met State Election Commissioner (SEC) Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar at the SEC office here on Thursday demanding cancellation of the election schedule in the wake of the violent atmosphere created by the YSRCP leaders at several places throughout the state.

Submitting a memorandum to the SEC, Sailajanath said that they would not trust that the election would be conducted in a free and fair manner to the local bodies. The Congress leaders explained to the SEC the grave conditions and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

They also brought to the notice of the SEC the attacks, threatening and violence by the YSRCP leaders and their henchmen against the people and the candidates of other parties. They opined that the state would be boiled with violence if elections were conducted under these circumstances.

Referring to the High Court orders to remove the YSRCP colours from the government buildings, he said that the government was yet to act on the order which amounts to contempt of the court.

The government set up flexies at various places in the state highlighting the welfare schemes which would influence the voters, he pointed out adding that it would be unethical and against the election code.

In view of the above conditions, it was proper to cancel the schedule for the elections to the ZPTC, MPTC and municipalities and municipal corporations, he demanded.

State Election Commissioner Ramesh Kumar assured the Congress delegation that action would be taken if they provide evidence in support of their allegations.