Congress Delegation Meets EC, Seeks Removal Of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's Photo From AP Schemes

A Congress delegation met with the Election Commission on Tuesday, urging the poll body to direct the removal of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's photo from state schemes. Salman Khurshid, part of the delegation, stated that the EC has issued orders preventing the implementation of new schemes.

Salman Khurshid, part of the delegation, stated that the EC has issued orders preventing the implementation of new schemes.

The party raised concerns about scheme advertisements in Andhra Pradesh still featuring the Chief Minister's photographs, which violates the model code of conduct. They emphasized that while campaigning, these photos should be removed from scheme ads.

Salman Khurshid, speaking to reporters after the meeting, explained, "We all went to the EC and presented four points regarding Andhra Pradesh...We requested that previous schemes continue, but campaign materials should not feature the CM's photos. The EC has issued orders...New schemes cannot be implemented."

The party's complaint highlighted the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh's actions in halting pension and other beneficiary schemes for the underprivileged. The Congress urged the CEO to restore these payments as a special case.

Additionally, the Congress sought clarification from the EC regarding expenditure allocation and division between candidates and the party for campaign materials.

The party also brought to the EC's attention the BJP's alleged malicious attempts to link the Congress' campaign to George Soros. The Congress stated that these attempts are false, mala fide, and defamatory, and requested immediate action against the authors of such campaigns, as well as the recall of the materials.