Date:02/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/02/stories/2006070214060100.htm

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Controversy over `remarks' by judge on SEC

Special Correspondent

State poll panel's role under sharp focus

HYDERABAD: The State Election Commission's role in the ongoing quinquennial elections to the local bodies ran deeper into controversy with Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and the Congress party defending it against criticism by the Telugu Desam and observations reportedly made by the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Dr. Reddy said the Government would seek a certified copy of the order by Justice P. S. Narayana in which, according to reports in a section of the press, he made certain observations about the State Election Commission. The Judge was dealing with a writ petition challenging the SEC's order asking political parties to intimate the names of their polling agents a day before polling. It was filed by a TDP leader Manohara Naidu of Chittoor district.

"I do not know if the judge at all made the comments as reported by the press but if he did, they are bound to create apprehensions among people about the SEC and make the situation favourable to a political party," Dr. Reddy said at a press conference on Saturday.

Dr. Reddy said legal experts whom he had consulted felt that the observations, if the reports were true, were "unconcerned". He, however, justified the commission's order saying it was aimed at preventing appointment of anti-social elements as election agents.

The Chief Minister said the TDP was trying to somehow obstruct the elections by filing one petition after another. He said the Government had merely followed the earlier rules while appointing A. V. S. Reddy as State Election Commissioner. Meanwhile, APCC president K. Keshava Rao said the reported observations by the Judge were in no way connected with the case that came before the court. The TDP, on the other hand, severely criticised the Chief Minister for his comments.