HC refers petition on TRS chief to EC

Hyderabad, Nov 15 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh High Court today directed counsel for Election Commission of India (EC) to find out how much time the EC would take to dispose of representations submitted by two persons against Telangana Rastra Samithi Chief K Chandrasekhara Rao.

A Division Bench gave the direction on a public interest litigation filed by Madhukar Reddy and Krishna, complaining that certain statements attributed to the TRS chief in the media amounted to bribing the electorate and violated the model code of conduct.

The petitioners contended that Mr Rao resigned his Lok Sabha seat on flimsy grounds and had no reason to do so, thereby creating the need for a by-election to the Karimnagar Lok Sabha Constituency.

They alleged that while addressing party workers in Hyderabad on October 29, Mr Rao called upon them to take as much money as possible if offered, to defeat the TRS candidate, while at the same time working for the TRS.

The petitioners contended that such statements were contrary to the model code of conduct. They said they had submitted two representations on November 10 and November 14 complaining about Mr Rao but the EC had not passed any order. They sought various reliefs including a direction to prevent the TRS from setting up a candidate for Karimnagar Parliamentary Constituency.

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