The Elections Commission of India on Friday censured Roads and Buildings Minister B Dharmana Prasad for his certain comments against YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy by referring him as a Christian.
Talking to reporters at the State Secretariat, Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal said that the minister made certain comments during by-elections meeting in Ramchandrapuram assembly constituency on June 7. He said the EC has censured the minister for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
The CEO also informed that the election authorities on Friday seized red-sandalwood which was being moved in the election-bound districts. He said since the red-sandalwood was a valuable commodity, it would used as an unaccounted money. He said the gold and silver jewellery makers have also been approached in view of reports that some candidates were distributing ornaments to voters.
Bhanwarlal justified the checking of suitcases of YSR Congress party honorary president Vijayamma. He said even Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s baggage was check during his election tours. He said such objections were valid during the elections’ time.
He said that the commission was studying a complaint lodged against Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal for referring Scheduled Castes as ‘Suitcases’ and Backward Classes as ‘Briefcases’.
–Agencies