Chandrababu Naidu cautioned for poll code violation

New Delhi, May 27 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) has cautioned Telugu Desam Chief N Chandrababu Naidu for addressing an election meeting in the byelection to Jadcherela Assembly constituency beyond the permissible limits in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The decision to caution Mr Naidu was taken by the EC after considering his reply to the Commission's notice and the report of the EC observers after it came to know of the event that the TDP chief had addressed a meeting at Rajapur village in Mehboobnagar District on the night of May 19 beyond 2000 hrs, the prescribed time limit, using loud speakers.

The incident was verified by the state officials and the Election Officer was notified of the same. The police booked a case under the IPC violation.

The EC had issued a notice to Mr Naidu on May 23, in response to which the TDP chief had given his version of the events on May 24 in which he had maintained that he had not conducted a meeting at Rajapur, but at a farmhouse on the village outskirts and had concluded the meeting by 2200 hrs.

However, the EC observers report, along with the CD available, showed that Mr Naidu was sitting with the local party leaders and the candidate from 2255 to 2313 hrs, using hand mikes and the media mikes.

''The Commission has directed you to be more careful in future so that there is no violation of any of the standing directions/instructions of the Commission, so there is no scope for any complaint,'' the EC order said.

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