Deploy special forces & observers for GHMC polls: BJP

Hyderabad: A State BJP in a memorandum submitted to the State Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan sought her intervention as the ruling party in the State is brazenly attempting to subvert the democratic electoral process in the GHMC polls.

A delegation led by party National OBC Morcha presidnet D K Laxman, MLC N Ramachender Rao and former MLA Ch Ramachandra Reddy met the Governor in Rajbhavan and submitted a representation to that effect. They said that GHMC electioneering is going peacefully barring few a few statements and counter statements without any untoward incident.

However, the Chief Minister's office issued a statement on Thursday that the government has 'credible reports' that a few anti-nationals are hatching a conspiracy to foment communal riots to get the elections postponed, the BJP leaders said.

They called the attention of the Governor to similar statements being made by Minister for Municipal Administration and TRS working president KT Ramarao a few days ahead of the Dubbaka by-polls, accusing the BJP of trying to create law and order problem.

They alleged that statements were a conspiracy to intimidate and browbeat people in the name of riots and thereby attempt to make people suspect the other parties which are challenging the despotism of the ruling party. Faced with a similar scenario in the GHMC elections, the CM has come up with a false narrative of 'fomenting communal trouble'.

The BJP delegation complained that the statement of the CMO could be construed as interference in the process of electioneering and a brazen attempt to influence the people by taking recourse to false narratives. It tantamount to violation of the constitution, they said.

Similarly, choosing ballot voting instead of E-voting gives room to suspect the intent of the government. They alleged that the ballot system of voting gives room for manipulation in the old city to exploit by AIMIM.

The BJP leaders expressed fears that the free and fair polls are not possible as far as the systems are under the control of the Sate government and requested to send a report to the Centre on the prevailing conditions in the state and for the deployment of special forces and observers to monitor the election process. Against the backdrop of the State government itself talking about possible riot-eruption.

They also requested Dr Tamilsai to advise the Chief Minister to refrain from influencing the people. And, instruct the Chief Secretary and the DGP not to attend any meetings called by the Chief Minister until the election process is over, as the officials-meetings are being used for political purposes and to legitimize falsehood.