ECI warns Minister Konda Surekha to be careful with her ‘public utterances’
The Election Commission of India has cautioned Minister Konda Surekha to remain careful in her ‘public utterances’ when the model code of conduct is operational in the State.
The Commission has “strongly censured” Ms. Surekha for her remarks against BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao in violation of the provisions of the MCC as also the advisory issued by the ECI in this regard. The ECI recalled its advisory to all political parties and leaders not to make false statements, utterances without factual basis aimed at misleading the voters. “Criticism of other parties or their workers on the basis of unveried allegations or on distortions shall be avoided,” the ECI said in its advisory issued ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The ECI was responding
Minister for Environment and Science and Technology Konda Surekha.
to a complaint lodged by BRS ocial spokesperson Dasoju Sravan and former MLC Karne Prabhakar that Ms. Surekha, during a press conference, made unveried, unsubstantiated allegations against BRS and more particularly, against Mr. K.T. Rama Rao. Based on the complaint, the Commission said it had requested the Chief Electoral Ocer for a factual report on the issue and the Telangana CEO sent a report on this.
The ECI quoted the text of the comments made by the Minister. “KCR garu, by indulging in tapping of phones, your son has blackmailed many persons like heroines and brought some of the ocers to a situation of losing their jobs and facing imprisonment,” the Minister is quoted as saying. Further, she said: “Your sister has already gone to the birthplace of Lord Krishna... In your case of phone tapping, the investigation is going on. All the tricks and tactics which you have been doing will also come out...” she said.
The ECI said, in its communication, that Part-2 of Part I General conduct of Model Code of Conduct provides that: “Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be conned to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and condidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties and their workers based on unveried allegations or distortion shall be avoided.”
The Commission recalled that Ms. Surekha was not only a star campaigner for the Congress, but also a Minister in the government of Telangana. “You bear the additional responsibility of choosing your words carefully while making any claim/allegation against any political party or the leader. In the present case, unveried allegations made by you pose a risk of maligning the image of the opposition party/leader and to disturb level playing eld amid ongoing election process in Telangana.”
Asserting that he is a local candidate, BJP candidate from Khammam Lok Sabha seat Tandra Vinod Rao said he would strive to serve the people of the constituency with a sense of commitment and diligence.
Mr. Rao held a roadshow in Mulakalapalli of Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Friday as part of his whirlwind electioneering in the constituency in the run up to the May 13 Lok Sabha elections. Earlier in the day, he launched his election campaign in the mandal at his native Thimmampet village.
Mr. Rao appealed to the people to vote for the BJP to give Narendra Modi a third term as Prime Minister.
“I am a son of the soil and I vow to make Khammam a model constituency if given an opportunity to serve you as an MP,” he said during the roadshow in Mulakalapalli.