CM fails to reply to EC notices on code violation

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is yet to reply to the notices sent by the Election Commission of India in connection with violation of Model Code of Conduct.

Addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat on Saturday, Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal said that the Election Commission has sent to separate notices to the Chief Minister on the allegations of violation of Model Code of Conduct. The first notice was sent on May 29 in connection with the statement made during the course of road show on May 18 at Rayadurg. He got another notice on June 1 for making certain religious remarks and appeal on May 11 during a road show in Tirupati. However, the Chief Minister has not yet replied to these notices.

TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao too has not replied to the notice that the commission has served on him on May 30 for a speech made at Parkal on May 20 which contained an appeal on the ground of religion. On Roads and Buildings Minister Dhramana Prasad Rao's request the commission has granted him time till Saturday to reply to a notice served on May 31. While TDP's Tirupati candidate Chadalawada Krishna Murthy has replied to the commission's notice, Congress candidate M Venkata Ramana and Tirpati MP Chinta Mohan have not replied to the notices sent to them on the allegations of entering into TTD Administrative Buildings on May 7 and canvassing forcibly without seeking TTD's permission.

Bhanwarlal said that so far, Rs 26.78 crore of cash, 1.65 lakh litres of illicit liquor and 539 vehicles has been seized by the election authorities. He said that as many as 30,574 people have been bound down under various sections of Cr Pc. Further, 3,390 Belt shops have been closed and 4,044 people have been arrested in various types of liquor offences. As many as 694 non-bailable warrants have been executed, he said.