Date:22/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/22/stories/2008052258521200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

EC may take action against 2 Andhra Pradesh Ministers

Special Correspondent

Three officials suspended; action sought against Chandrababu Naidu

They held election meeting in a Government school
TDP chief made seven promises, Congress tells CEO

HYDERABAD: After an inquiry revealed prima facie evidence that Congress candidates held campaign meetings in government schools in Mahabubnagar and Warangal districts, the authorities have suspended a headmaster, one Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) and Village Revenue Officer (VRO).

Home Minister K. Jana Reddy, Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah and Congress candidate for the Hanamkonda Lok Sabha constituency Konda Surekha are likely to face action by the Election Commission, as they have been served with notices in connection with the meeting held in a government school at Julywada in Warangal town.

Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao said this amounted to violation of the model code.

The headmaster was punished for permitting the Congress leaders to hold the meeting in a government school at Karukonda in Mahabubnagar and the VRO and the ASI for blinking at this irregularity. The ASI, who was supposed to have stopped the meeting, accompanied Rural Development Minister G. Chinna Reddy and S. Swarna Sudhakar, a Congress MLA, who, however, replied to the notices served on them.

Meanwhile, a Congress delegation, led by Government Chief Whip N. Kirankumar Reddy, lodged a complaint with the CEO, seeking action against Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu for making seven promises during the campaign at Vikarabad on Tuesday which could not be implemented and which only induced voters.

These promises included waiver of housing loans, construction of houses on 150-sq yd. plots for Rs. 1 lakh each, free supply of LPG and stoves to women, distribution of gold mangalasutrams to girls at the time of marriage.