AP CM concerned over adverse remarks by judge

Hyderabad, Jul 1 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara today took a serious view of the remarks of a Single Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a petition filed by a TDP activist in connection with the ongoing Panchayat polls.

'Let the judge concerned give his reported remarks in order form if he stood by it so that my Government can move higher judiciary', he told a press conference here.

Making it clear that he was not at all for confrontation with the judiciary, he said ''I am speaking with great restraint. Since the reported comments may influence the voters in the elections, I am forced to clarify my position' 'While hearing the petition on time limit for furnishing list of polling agents by contestants, the Judge has made totally unconcerned comments on appointment of the State Election Commissioner,' he said, adding, it was unfair to create an impression that 'the EC is acting according to the whims and fancies of the State Government'.

Recalling that even when Communist leader Krishna Iyer, a former Minister in Kerala, was appointed a judge, no one had questioned it or cast aspersions, he brushed aside the view that all political parties should be consulted before appointment to the high office.

''Anarchic tendencies will develop and people will lose faith in the system if Judiciary, Legislature and Executive crossed limits demarcated by the Constitution'', he said.

Alleging that TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu was trying to 'blackmail' the Election Commission out of frustration due to 'certain defeat' in the polls, he said 'all that he (Mr Naidu) is talking about the EC is nothing but trash'.

Dr Reddy alleged that the TDP, which had failed to function as a responsible opposition party in the past two years, was adopting 'pressure tactics' on the State Election Commission after failing in efforts to get the elections stopped.

The TDP had tried in vain to stop the polls by filing cases in courts first against reorganisation of Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies, then against reservation for Backward Classes for the polls and finally alleged bogus voters in the electoral list, he said, adding, the 'TDP is seeking an alibi to justify its predictable rout in the ensuing polls'.

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