EC serves notice to CM Jagan

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday issued a notice to the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for consistently making derogatory comments about Telugu Desam chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu. This comes after TD Politburo member Varla Ramaiah wrote to the EC filing an official complaint against Jagan Reddy on April 5.
It may be recalled that TD leaders have been lodging complaints with EC regarding the violation of the election code for the past few days under which notices were issued to several YSRCP leaders and this is the first time that EC issued notice to CM Jagan.
The EC served notice to Jagan asking him to submit his stand within 48 hours on the malicious comments he made during YSRC’s ‘Memanta Siddham’ meeting, failing which a report will be sent to EC for further action against Jagan Reddy.
TD leader Ramaiah in his complaint lodged to EC stated that during YSRC’s ‘Memanta Siddham’ public meetings at Puthalapattu, Madanapalle, Naidupeta Jagan equated Nara Chandrababu Naidu to multiple demonic characters from popular films, apart from making false allegations against Naidu.
Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena in the notice said that the CEO is, prima facie, of the view that by making such speeches, Jagan Mohan Reddy, President of YSR Congress Party has violated instructions of the Model Code of Conduct. The notice further stated that now, therefore, Jagan Mohan Reddy, is required to explain his stand in respect of the complaint and the statements made by him, against Chandrababu Naidu, in the public discourses within 48 hours from the time of receipt of this Notice. The CEO stated in the order that if there is a response within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that there is nothing to say in the matter and a report will be sent to the Election Commission of India for further appropriate action.