Cong Govt not for confrontation with EC: CM

Hyderabad, May 13 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said his government was not for any confrontation with the Election Commission.

''We have high regard for the Election Commission, an important tool to run the country in a democratic manner. We are in no way wanting to go against the EC,'' he said, participating in a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists.

He said ''the Election Commission was free to ask for any clarification and we are ready to provide the same.'' Defending Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy, who has been issued notice by the EC for his remarks against the body, he said the EC, by giving its nod for the ''Rythu Chaitanya Yatra,'' had vindicated his cabinet colleague's stand that the yatra to educate the farmers ahead of the Khariff season could not be postponed.

He also defended the Chief Secretary's letter to the Collectors of those districts, where bypolls are scheduled, to communicate through proper channel instead of directly communicating with the EC.

Taking a stern view of certain ''derogatory remarks'' allegedly made against it, the Election Commission yesterday issued notice to the Agriculture Minister and also to the Chief Secretary for certain reported decisions taken by the Government allegedly in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

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