ECI Flags Presence of Non-Local Congress Leaders in Jubilee Hills; Complaints Filed Over Voter Influence
The ECI's dissatisfaction arose following reports indicating that Congress MLAs Beerla Ilaiah, Ramachandra Naik, and MLC Shankar were present at polling stations with the intent to sway voters.
Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has expressed significant concern regarding the involvement of non-local Congress MLAs and MLCs in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency during the polling process, prompting officials to take swift action.
The ECI’s dissatisfaction arose following reports indicating that Congress MLAs Beerla Ilaiah, Ramachandra Naik, and MLC Shankar were present at polling stations with the intent to sway voters.
Reports indicated that Congress MLC Shankar, accompanied by his supporters, caused a disturbance at the SD Point Hotel in the Rahmat Nagar division, while MLA Ramachandra Naik was observed at a different booth. Additionally, Aler MLA Beerla Ilaiah was seen near a polling station in Rahmat Nagar, engaging with voters. The BRS has filed complaints, claiming that these leaders were attempting to influence voter decisions.
Tension ran high at Vengalrao Nagar Booth No. 79, as Matta Dayanand, the spouse of Congress MLA Matta Ragamayi from Sathupalli, was reportedly handing out polling slips and enticing voters. Leaders from the BRS complained to the Returning Officer, alleging that he was trying to influence voters to support the ruling party’s candidate. In the meantime, voting in the by-election was progressing slowly, with a turnout of 10.2 percent recorded by 9 a.m., following delays caused by EVM malfunctions at several polling stations.
