Date:21/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/21/stories/2008052161110100.htm

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Clean chit to Chief Minister

Special Correspondent

‘No code violation in speech made in Khanapur constituency’

HYDERABAD: The election authorities have found that there was no violation of the model code of conduct for the byelections by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in his speech in Khanapur Assembly constituency in Adilabad district on Sunday.

They came to this conclusion after the Adilabad Collector, who is also the District Election Officer, and later the Chief Electoral Officer, watched video clippings of the Chief Minister’s speech in which he was accused of announcing pension to an additional 15 lakh people.

The Election Commission was informed about their conclusions.

Mr. Subba Rao, however, said that a press note reportedly issued by the Chief Minister’s office the same day on the subject appeared to have been aimed at influencing the voters. He would ascertain whether the Chief Minister’s office was indeed the source.

Crackdown continues

Meanwhile, the crackdown on those responsible for violation of the election code continued on Tuesday. A notice has been served on Konda Surekha, Congress candidate in Hanamkonda Parliamentary constituency, for addressing a campaign meeting without permission at Julywada in Warangal. Two Ministers, K. Jana Reddy and Ponnala Lakshmaiah, were served notices by the EC on why they held this meeting in a government school. The Warangal Collector clarified that the land on which the meeting was held did not belong to the school and it was an open plot.

However, the CEO ordered revenue officials to conduct survey of land where this meeting was held to determine whether it was privately owned or belonged to the government.

Meanwhile, Mr. Subba Rao ordered an enquiry into a complaint by the Telugu Desam Party that Finance Minister K. Rosaiah had influenced voters by announcing at a press conference on Monday that the Government would soon launch a scheme to control prices of essential commodities.

The CEO warned Ministers against summoning officials in the districts where byelections were being held, for reviews. He asked them not to use official vehicles with beacon lights and sirens which indicated their status, and not to contact election officials.