Notice to TDP, YSRCP leaders for ‘derogatory comments’ against political opponents

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has served notices on leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) for their alleged comments against their political opponents, giving them 48 hours to make their stand clear.

Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena issued separate notices to TDP national president N. Chandrababu Naidu, YSRCP leaders Jogi Ramesh and and Lella Appi Reddy.

He directed them to explain their stand in respect of the alleged derogatory speeches against their opponents within 48 hours of receipt of the notice.

“If there is no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter, and a report will be sent to the Election Commission of India for further appropriate action,” Mr. Meena said.

Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena.

The YSRCP had lodged a complaint against Mr. Naidu stating that he made derogatory comments against the party and its president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on March 31 at Yemmiganur, Markapuram and Bapatla constituencies.

Similarly, the TDP lodged a complaint against Mr. Ramesh. It wanted the ECI to disqualify him from contesting the elections and file cases against him under various sections of the IPC and RP Act for conducting “doortodoor campaigns with false statements and abusive and derogatory language against Mr. Naidu.”

The TDP also lodged a complaint against the YSRCP for posting “objectionable and false social media posts against Mr. Naidu” in its official social media account.

Mr. Meena said that in view of the General Elections to the Lok Sabha and simultaneous elections to the Legislative Assemblies, the ECI had issued an advisory to the political parties on the plummeting levels of public discourse during campaigning.

The advisory laid down the expected decorum by the political parties and candidates in general and star campaigners in particular. “It very clearly indicates that any genres of surrogate or indirect violation of MCC and surrogate means to plummet the level of the election campaign will be dealt with stern action,” he said.

The advisory is available on the commission’s website https:// www.eci.gov.in/ under the heading ‘Current issues’, he added.