Polls held in 'undemocratic manner': BJP

Hyderabsad, Jun 29 (UNI) Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) Leader Ch Vidyasagar Rao today alleged the first phase of the Local Body elections were held in 'an undemocratic manner.' Addressing a press conference here, Mr Rao said large scale violence and untoward incidents, including lathicharge, marred yesterday's polling and the government and the Election Commissiion had not taken them seriously.

He alleged the ruling Congress and its leaders had distributed money and liquor everywhere to lure the voters and the people had lost confidence in the government as it had not taken up any developmental activities in the villages.

Mr Rao claimed Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, APCC President K Keshava Rao and other Congress leaders had violated the code of conduct during the campaign.

He also said the Congress Government had been foisting cases on Opposition leaders.

Mr Rao said polling was held in peaceful manner in disturbed areas and all violent incidents had taken place in the undisturbed areas, including in Kadapa, the home district of the Chief Minister .

He asked the government and the Election Commission to take all measures to conduct the second phase of polling scheduled for July two in a free and fair manner to protect the democracy.

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