Naidu alleges Officials Obstructing Nominations of TDP Candidates
Mr. Naidu asked the rationale behind the SEC continuing the election process even on Diwali day. “How can the candidates be asked to file their nominations when all others were celebrating the festival?
Vijayawada: Telugu Desam Party National President and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday demanded an explanation from the State Election Commissioner (SEC) and the Director General of Police (DGP) on the ruling YSRCP threats to prevent the opposition candidates from filing nominations in the civic body elections.
Mr. Naidu asked the rationale behind the SEC continuing the election process even on Diwali day. “How can the candidates be asked to file their nominations when all others were celebrating the festival? The anarchic regime is deriving sadistic pleasure by hurting religious sentiments as well. Would they hold an election on Christmas? ”, he questioned
Addressing a press conference here, the TDP chief said that just like before, the ruling YSRCP was trying to turn the present election to the 12 municipalities and one municipal corporation into a farce. The ruling party leaders, the police and the officials were directly threatening and asking the opposition candidates not to file nominations. In some cases, nomination papers were being torn off.
Mr.Naidu showed a video and pointed out how a village vice president belonging to the ruling YSRCP was directly threatening the rival candidate not to file nomination. The YSRCP village leader was behaving locally just like how Chief Minister Jagan Reddy had been behaving like an unlawful person at the state level. With their uncontrolled sadism and offences, the YSRCP leaders had turned Andhra Pradesh into a ‘State of lunatics’, he lashed out
The TDP chief cautioned the opposition candidates to take maximum precautions to ensure that their nominations would remain valid. As the officials were trying to invalidate nominations at various stages, the candidates should take the help of advocates and get proper acknowledgements after filing nominations. The copies of their nominations should be mailed to the District Collectors, the SEC and the election observers.
Mr.Naidu asserted that if the election officials committed any election fraud, the TDP would approach the courts and seek the required relief. The opposition candidates were receiving threats from the ruling YCP and they should record all such calls for evidence before the courts. The general public should also join the fight to prevent the anti-social elements and the YCP goondas from taking democracy for a ride.
Referring to polls in his home constituency Kuppam, Chandrababu Naidu said that Punganur commissioner Lokeshwar Varma was appointed special officer for Kuppam in order to rig the elections. This officer has started ordering all the Government staff on duty in elections to ensure YSRCP victory openly. Lokeshwar Varma behaved in a criminal way and got all 24 wards in Punganur declared unanimously. Mr.Naidu asked how the SEC could appoint a tainted officer like Varma for Kuppam polls.
