In a setback to the YSR Congress Party, the Central Election Commission directed the Returning Officer of the Nandyal by-election to file a case against the party's president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for making objectionable remarks on Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu while addressing an election rally.
Jagan had said that there was nothing wrong if A P chief minister Chandrababu Naidu was shot dead on the road for not fulfilling his election promises.
Acting upon the complaint made by the ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh, the Central Election Commission asked the State Election Commission to file an FIR against Jagan for violating the model code of conduct, and asked it to take appropriate action against the Leader Of Opposition in the AP Assembly.
AP Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu hailed the decision of the Central Election Commission, and said that the officials of the State Election Commission should take action immediately as per the direction of the CEC.
The finance minister said the decision of the CEC was very serious, and that Jagan should be disqualified for his behaviour and comments. He said that the CEC asking for the filing of the case under an IPC section meant that it was akin to a murder case, he said.
"The TDP welcomes the CEC's decision. There is no place for violence in a democracy. Nobody has used such language till now against a Chief Minister," said Kala Venkatrao, TDP president. "The people will teach a lesson to Jagan by defeating the YSRCP candidate."