The Telugu Desam Party has urged the Election Commission to instruct the Chief Electoral Officer, the Director-General of Police and other officials concerned in the State to take steps to stop the “highhanded” behaviour of YSR Congress and ensure a level playing field for all contesting candidates and political parties.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the YSRC leaders were planning violence, intimidation and bribery of voters in constituencies that were going to elections in the second phase on May 7. There were instances of the YSR Congress distributing cash to voters in some constituencies and the EC should deploy special squads to unearth illicit liquor dumps and arrest the aggressors, he added.
The letter was handed over to the election authority by former MP Ramesh Rathod (TDP ). Mr. Naidu complained that though the incidents of YSR Congress leaders indulging in irregularities were being reported, no tangible action was initiated by the CEO. “We have sent several complaints to the CEO and the DGP, but we have neither received any report on the action initiated nor find any improvement in the field situation,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was unfortunate that the election machinery that was expected to ensure free and fair poll was sleeping on such matters in spite of repeated complaints. Unless strong action is taken to prevent such incidents, democratic process would become a mockery and people would lose confidence in the system, he added.