Date:28/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/28/stories/2004032806310800.htm

National

AIADMK, DMK yet to reply to EC

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 27. The Chief Election Commissioner, T.S. Krishnamurthy, has already appealed to political parties not to make personal attacks on any leader, but since complaints were being received, the Election Commission wanted the issue to be addressed to the political parties, the Deputy Election Commissioner, A.N. Jha, told reporters here today.

Asked whether the AIADMK had given its reply to a complaint from the Democratic Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu on the "foreign origin" issue, he said no reply had been received so far. Similarly, the DMK was yet to respond to the AIADMK's complaint alleging collection of huge political funds by the DMK.

`No free passes'

The Commission had written to the Civil Aviation Ministry and Air India not to issue free passes to any category of persons during the inaugural flight from Ahmedabad to London tomorrow. This was in response to Air India's request to permit a group of journalists to travel in the flight.

On the Congress' complaint of distribution of Provident Fund forms with the `lotus' symbol, Mr. Jha said the Commission had received a report from the Union Labour Secretary and the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra, after an inquiry. Both the reports were being examined and a decision would be taken soon. The Commission had permitted the Kerala Government to undertake relief works in the drought-affected areas following a grant of Rs. 49 crores by the Central Government.