TDP demands repoll in Kadapa district

Hyderabad, June 28 (UNI) Alleging the ruling Congress had indulged in booth capturing and rigging in the first phase panchayat poll in Kadapa district, the home district of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today demanded that the State Election Commission (EC) conduct repoll in the district.

Addressing the press here, TDP president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the EC had failed to conduct free and fair elections in Rayalaseema region, where Congress leaders had clashed with TDP activists at polling booths and did not allow them to vote.

Stating that the EC had not taken action against the government when the TDP complained of misuse of power, he said the party would approach the High Court if the EC did not conduct a repoll in Kadapa.

The EC had played a spectator's role in the polls, he charged.

Alleging that police officials had failed to perform their duty impartially and had supported Congress leaders, Mr Naidu said 'today was a bad day in the history of the country because the government misused power on a large scale in the elections'.

He said the EC should also conduct repoll in some villages of Kurnool and Anantapur districts where Congress leaders allegedly captured polling booths.

UNI AP AA MSJ RAI2005