Rs. 26.78 Cr Cash Seized By EC

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is yet to reply to the notices sent by the Election Commission of India in connection with his violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Addressing a press conference at the state Secretariat on Saturday, Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal said that the Election Commission had sent separate notices to the Chief Minister on the allegations of violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The first notice was sent on 29 May, in connection with a statement made during the course of a road show on 18 May at Rayadurg.

He got another notice on 1 June, for making certain religious remarks, and an appeal to voters on 11 May during a road show in Tirupati.

However, the Chief Minister has not yet replied to these notices, says Bhanwarlal.

TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, too has not replied to the notice that the commission served on him on 30 May, for a speech made at Parkal on 20 May. The speech allegedly contained an appeal to voters on the grounds of religion.

As for Roads & Buildings minister Dhramana Prasad Rao's request, the commission granted him time till Saturday to reply to a notice served on 31 May.

While TDP's Tirupati candidate Chadalawada Krishna Murthy has replied to the commission's notice, Congress candidate M Venkata Ramana and Tirupati MP Chinta Mohan have not replied to the notices sent to them on the allegations of entering into the TTD Administrative Buildings on 7 May and canvassing there without seeking the TTD's permission.

Bhanwarlal said that so far, Rs. 26.78 crore of cash, 1.65 lakh litres of illicit liquor and 539 vehicles have been seized by the election authorities.

He added that as many as 30,574 people have been bound down under various sections of the Cr Pc.

Further, 3,390 belt shops have been closed, and 4,044 people have been arrested in various types of liquor offences. As many as 694 non-bailable warrants have been executed, he said. (INN)