EC asks BJP’s Munugode bypoll candidate to explain ₹5.24 crore transfer to 23 bank accounts
The Hindu
Funds were transferred to accounts in Munugode constituency to induce voters, TRS general secretary alleges in a complaint
The Election Commission of India (EC), in a late night development on Sunday, directed K. Rajagopal Reddy, who is contesting the Munugode byelection in Hyderabad, to explain the alleged transfer of ₹5.24 crore from the bank account of a family-owned company to 23 different bank accounts in the run up to the poll.
According to the Commission, the direction followed the receipt of a complaint alleging an attempt at voter inducement by the BJP candidate from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) General Secretary Soma Bharath Kumar. Mr. Reddy had been directed to furnish his reply by 4 p.m. on Monday [October 31]. There was no further information from the EC in this regard.
In the complaint, EC sources said, Mr. Kumar alleged that ₹5.24 crore had been transferred from a State Bank of India (SBI) account in the name of a firm owned by Mr. Reddy’s family on the 14th, 18th and 29 th of October to 23 different persons/companies located in the Munugode Assembly Constituency for alleged voter inducement.
The EC, in addition to demanding an explanation, also directed Mr. Reddy to, in his capacity as someone having transferred the funds, ensure as a “duty”, that this fund was “not used for voter inducement” which was a corrupt practice.
According to EC sources, the Commission clarified that the Model Code of Conduct prohibited any “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law such as the bribing of voters, intimidation and impersonation among others.
The Commission directed Mr. Reddy to clarify his position regarding the allegation to enable it to take the “appropriate decision.”
Amol Palekar advocates against pre-censorship in films and theatre, urging the government to protect artists' freedom of expression.
BJP legislators demand release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, threatening protests and border blockade if demands not met.
Odisha loses 790 elephants in a decade, with electrocution as the leading cause of unnatural deaths.
ASI issues notice to halt construction at Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt near Rameshwara temple in Shivamogga.
Madurai High Court orders removal of encroachments along Madurai-Dindigul highway, Corporation and Highways Department officials conduct joint operation.
Maharashtra Congress chief initiates signature campaign for return of ballot papers, sparking nationwide debate on EVMs.
Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari on Wednesday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to undertake periodical maintenance of NH66 without giving room for complaints.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw updates Lok Sabha on Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. shareholding, Goa willing to relinquish.
One dies, eight hospitalised after inhaling HCL fumes at pharma company in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district. About 400 litres of HCL leaked from the reactor-cum-receiver tank at Unit-III of the company, which affected nine workers, says Collector. While the condition of six of them is stable, two are on ventilator support. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directs authorities to provide advanced treatment to the victims. Home Minister Anitha expresses anger over repeated such incidents.
Parents and social workers in Thoothukudi request new Anganwadi buildings due to unsafe conditions in current rental buildings.
Delta districts face heavy rainfall, prompting coordinated efforts to mitigate damages, with NDRF teams deployed for rescue operations.