CEO seeks collector’s remarks on Jagan’s comments on CM

Hyderabad: Chef Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal said that YSRC chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy had sent his explanation on his alleged comments to ‘shoot’ Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for not fulfilling electoral promises at an election rally held recently in Nandyal.

Speaking to media here on Thursday, Bhanwar Lal said that he asked the Kurnool District Collector and Election Officer to send their remarks on the same. “Once the district election officer sends his remarks, the same would be sent to the Election Commission of India, along with my remarks, for the ECI to initiate appropriate action,” he added.

That apart, 44 complaints have also been received on violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and some of the complaints were lodged against ministers and other political leaders. Reports of the district election official has also been sought on the same, he clarified.

He said that the alleged intimidation of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asking the voters at Nandyal that they were obliged to vote for his party as they were giving pensions and were using the roads laid by the TDP-led state government had took place prior to the announcement of the by-election. However, a report was also sought on the same from the district election officer which would be forwarded to the ECI, Bhanwar Lal clarified.

The CEO said that political parties and their leaders were free to criticise on the programme and policies but not resort to indecent remarks on the character of the persons. Similarly, ministers could engage in the electioneering without using the official vehicles and machinery in strict compliance with the MCC. Failing which, he warned that stringent action would be initiated against the erring persons by the commission.