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EC orders action against Jagan Reddy for saying Chandrababu Naidu should be killed
Poll panel said Reddy’s comments were a “gross violation” of the election code, and called for a police case to be filed against the YSR Congress party leader
The Election Commission on Wednesday ordered polling officials to file a case against YSR Congress party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy for his comments against Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the run-up to the bypolls in Nandyal assembly constituency in Kurnool district.
Addressing a public meeting at Nandyal on August 3, Jagan said there was nothing wrong if Naidu was shot dead on the road in public for not fulfilling election promises. A few days later, he also called for hanging Naidu publicly for cheating the people with his false promises.
Acting on a complaint from the TDP leaders and a report from the returning officer for Nandyal, the EC said the comments made by Jagan amounted to gross violation of election code of conduct. It asked the returning officer to take stern action against Jagan by filing a case against him in the police station concerned.
“We shall issue a serious warning to Jagan. Police have already filed an FIR against him which they will pursue,” chief electoral officer for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Bhanwar Lal said.
Meanwhile, polling is going on at a brisk pace in the Nandyal assembly constituency on Wednesday. The constituency recorded 45% polling till 12pm. The ruling TDP and YSR Congress party are fighting a bitter battle.
The TDP has fielded Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy, nephew of former MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy whose death necessitated the bypoll, and former minister Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy, who defected from the TDP, is representing the YSRC.
The counting of votes will be held on August 28.
