EC expresses 'severe displeasure' over AP ministers' sops

Fri, May 16 08:46 PM

New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) Acting tough, the Election Commission today expressed its "severe displeasure" to the Andhra Pradesh government for some of its Ministers making various announcements in violation of model code of conduct ahead of the bypolls in the state. It was brought to the notice of the EC that some ministers of the state have made various announcements through press meetings which, in the opinion of the Commission, amounted to violation of the model code of conduct.

The Commission cited announcements like increasing the income limit for 'White Ration Cards', new power connections, waive off penalty on account of power pilferage cases and enhancement of subsidy for vegetable seeds. The Commission was not convinced with the justifications and explanations as the underlying object of making these announcements was apparent that the state government wanted to "woo and influence" the voters in favour of the ruling party in connection with the ongoing bypolls in the state, it said.

"Though the government orders giving effect to the aforesaid announcements made by the Ministers have not been issued, nevertheless, the political mileage which the party in power sought to derive has already been achieved as these announcements are in the nature of promises to the electorate of the benefits which the state government intends to confer on them," it said. PTI.

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