Antony's yatra flouted poll code

The ongoing 'Navothana Yatra' by Chief Minister AK Antony, the opposition CPI-M has alleged, has flouted the election code of conduct by 'misusing' official machinery while organising the yatra.

Stating that the ongoing 'Navothana Yatra' led by Kerala Chief Minister AK Antony to campaign for UDF nominees had evoked 'poor response', the opposition CPI-M on Thursday alleged that the administration was virtually paralysed while the election code of conduct was flouted rampantly by 'misusing' official machinery while organising the yatra.

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"With dozen ministers accompanying the yatra, the state's administration has come to a virtual standstill at a time when several issues needed to be addressed on top priority," Deputy Opposition Leader in state assembly and CPI-M member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told a press meet here.

Alleging that the ruling coalition was misusing the official machinery during the yatra, Kodiyeri said his party would formally apprise the election commission of the need to examine expenses incurred during the yatra.

The yatra evoked "poor" response as compared to the 'Vimochana Yatra' led by Antony in the run up to the assembly polls three years ago, he said and alleged that the chief minister was now trying to "mislead" the public by indulging in 'false propaganda' by projecting achievements of his government's three-year tenure.

On Antony's contention that the prevailing peace in the otherwise politically sensitive pockets in north Malabar region was the result of efficient police policy, Kodiyeri said return of peace, by and large, was due to the tolerant stand adopted by various political parties, including CPI-M.