This comes after TDP Politburo member Varla Ramaiah wrote to the EC, filing an official complaint against Jagan Reddy on April 5…reports Asian Lite News
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday issued a notice to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for allegedly making derogatory comments about Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
This comes after TDP Politburo member Varla Ramaiah wrote to the EC, filing an official complaint against Jagan Reddy on April 5.
The EC served notice to Jagan, asking him to submit his stand within 48 hours on the malicious comments he made during YSRCP’s ‘Memanta Siddham’ meeting, failing which a report will be sent to the EC for further action against Jagan Reddy.
During YSRCP’s ‘Memanta Siddham’ public meetings at Puttalapattu, Madanapalle, Naidupeta, Jagan allegedly equated Chandrababu Naidu to multiple demonic characters from popular films.
Meanwhile, attacks and counter-attacks between the ruling YSR Congress Party and the principal opposition TDP have intensified as the elections to the state assembly and Lok Sabha near.
Hitting out at the TDP, CM Jagan on Saturday said that this election will be between two ideologies where one supports poor people and the other supports capitalists.
“The upcoming elections are going to be between the YSRCP government rendered development to every section of the society and Chandrababu’s alliance that deceived every section of the society. This election will be between two ideologies. One party (YSRCP) supports poor people while the other party (TDP) supports capitalists. Are you all ready to register another historic victory by defeating the opposition parties which are waging a battle to defeat Jagan who is trying to ensure victory for the poor?” Jagan asked
The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled for May 13, with vote counting set for June 4.
Notably, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly consists of 175 seats and a party would need at least 88 seats to form a government.
In the 2014 Assembly elections, the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP won with a majority of 102 seats. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP won 67 seats. The BJP could only win four seats by contesting against the two regional heavyweights.
In the 2019 Assembly elections, the YSRCP won with a thumping majority of 151 seats, while the TDP was confined to 23 seats.
The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country will be held in seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha as well as the assemblies will take place on June 4. (ANI)
EC working as a tool of BJP, says Atishi
Days after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) complained to the Election Commission about derogatory posters put up by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Delhi Minister Atishi, commented on the lack of action against the ruling party by the poll body and questioned its double standards.
“When the Bharatiya Janata Party complains against the Aam Aadmi Party, the Election Commission sends notice within 12 hours. But when it comes to a complaint against Bharatiya Janata Party to the Election Commission, even after 48 hours, there has been no notice issued against them,” Delhi Minister Atishi said, speaking to ANI.
Questioning the role played by the Election Commission to ensure fair elections, Atishi said, “It is a matter of concern that the Election Commission, which is supposed to conduct free and fair elections, to be non-partisan, not to be close to the ruling party, is working as a tool of the Bharatiya Janata Party.”
“We will be replying to the notice issued against us, but will the Election Commission take action on the complaints against Bharatiya Janata Party?” Atishi added.
Asking the poll body to be as impartial as former Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan, who was known for his dealing with political parties with an iron hand during elections, Atishi said, “You are descendents of TN Seshan. The entire country remembers TN Seshan.”
Speaking about the objectionable hoardings put up across Delhi, the Minister said, “The posters are still there because the Election Commission is not taking any action against them.”
“If the Election Commission does not take any action, we will go to the High Court as well,” Atishi warned.
Earlier in the day, Atishi took potshots at the poll body by asking whether it would only send notices to opposition parties.
“48 hours have passed since @AamAadmiParty filed a complaint with Election Commission of India against BJP’s objectionable hoardings, across Delhi. Till now, no notice has been issued by @ECISVEEP to BJP so far Will @ECISVEEP only send notices to opposition parties?” Atishi said in a post on ‘X’. (ANI)
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