Govt. Abusing Authority Over Local Bodies: LSP

The Lok Satta Party, on Tuesday, questioned the propriety of the government's move to release funds to municipalities on the eve of the elections, and requested the State Election Commission to intervene.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party state vice-president D V V S Varma said, "The government's move is nothing but a blatant attempt at influencing voters. By proposing award of works on a nomination basis, the government is trying to benefit the ruling party's contractors and enable them to induce voters to unfair means.

"Otherwise, there is no reason for the government, which has repeatedly postponed municipal elections under some pretext or other and kept civic bodies under special officers' rule, developing a sudden love for urban people. Since special officers function under the thumb of the government, funneling funds to ruling party politicians will be hassle-free," he said.

Varma appealed to the Election Commission to take cognizance of the government's move and "nip it in the bud". (INN)