I did not allege unfair polling: Chandy

Kochi, Apr 23 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today denied reports that he had alleged irregularities during yesterday's polling in his Puthuppally constituency in Kottayam district and that the Election Commission was looking into them.

''I have said no such thing and neither has my chief (election) agent. There was absolutely no problem during polling in Puthuppally.

This (the report) is a planned move to discredit the UDF,'' he said at a press conference at Kaladi, near here, where he had been campaigning.

He said the EC had issued specific orders for examination of records in all polling stations in all states where there were above 80 per cent voting, and any such review being held was a precautionary measure based on this directive, not his complaint.

He also dismissed exit poll results that forecast a victory for LDF in the 59 constituencies of Kerala's southern districts where elections were held in the first phase yesterday, saying people would not be swayed by such tactics and the UDF was confident of victory Mr Chandy again accused the LDF of conducting a ''communally divisive'' campaign in the elections and said they had nothing convincing to say on development, which was the main issue in this elections.

On the Kochi Smart City project, he said the Government had put on its website the agreement signed with the Dubai-based company and that it was now for the people to decide whether the Left allegations against it were true.

The Chief Minister said the Government had only deferred signing of the contract; all related work, like procurement of land, was still being carried out.

''We want to see Kerala reach the levels that the state of Karnataka has achieved in IT exports...Smart city would have been a message that Kerala is ready for investment,'' he added.

UNI LR KVV YA VC1830