Huzurabad by-election conclude peacefully amid minor clashes, violations
The high-octane Huzurabad by-election, for which campaigning was going on for the last five months, ended by 7 pm on Saturday. The results of the by-election will be declared on November 2nd.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 30 Oct 2021 4:42 PM GMT
Hyderabad: The high-octane Huzurabad by-election, for which campaigning was going on for the last five months, ended by 7 pm on Saturday. The results of the by-election will be declared on November 2nd.
No untoward incidents were reported on the day of the election. However, at several locations, there were conflicts between the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Bhartiya Janata Party cadres.
It started with the BJP cadres opposing the TRS leader Kaushik Reddy's presence at the booth in Ganumukkala village. Kaushik Reddy is the TRS party's chief election agent. Under rules, he can go inside the polling station. But the BJP cadres alleged that he was influencing voters in the queue. Tension remained high in the village even after he was taken away. TRS and BJP activists also clashed prompting police to intervene and bring the situation under control.
In another incident, people prevented TRS leader and Gajwel market chairman Madasu Srinivas from entering the village. Villagers alleged that Srinivas was trying to influence the voters in the area.
Similarly, BJP alleged that TRS leaders are distributing money and campaigning on the day of the election. Gujjula Premender Reddy, BJP state general secretary, alleged that Wardhannapet legislator Aroori Ramesh was distributing money to voters while polling was in progress.
"The authorities have to take action against the TRS leaders who are distributing money. Despite BJP activists complaining about the matter and holding a dharna, the police have so far not done anything to the legislator. It is unfortunate that the house was not searched and the money was not seized," said Mr. Premender Reddy.
The BJP also condemned the attempt to arrest its activists. "BJP is demanding immediate arrest of Aroori Ramesh," said Mr. Premender Reddy.
Telangana chief electoral officer (CEO) Dr. Shashank Goel on Saturday said the Huzurabad Assembly by-poll was progressing peacefully. Dr. Goel, who inspected the polling stations in Kamalapur, said 88 complaints were received so far. The election observers are collecting evidence in this regard, he added.
On reports of money being distributed to voters, he said the allegations will be verified. If it is proved, the Election Commission will take action after completion of the voting process, the CEO added.
TRS filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against BJP candidate Eatala Rajender for holding a press meet on the day of the Huzurabad by-poll. In its complaint, the TRS alleged that Eatala violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and deliberately committed a criminal offense by holding a press meet on the day of the by-poll. The complaint filed by TRS general secretary Bharat Kumar Soma said the BJP candidate had tried to influence voters during the press meet at a polling booth in Channa Badi, Kamalapur.
Mr. Soma also mentioned Mr. Rajender's wife in the complaint and alleged that she had called the TRS unjust while claiming that the BJP was on the side of truth and justice. He further alleged that the BJP had reportedly asked voters to vote in their favor stating that voters in other polling booths were 'blessing' them.
Meanwhile, the local villagers and BJP Karyakarta were vigilant at many places when any party workers tried to campaign or influence the voters in the constituency. At many places, the villagers have complained to police officials regarding party cadres asking for votes in the constituency. Meanwhile, the party cadres were seen identifying fake voters at the poll booth. However, many media persons were involved in vigilantism and moral policing. They were seen asking for voter identity cards from the general public.
As the by-election ended on Saturday, cash and other materials worth Rs. 3.84 crore has been seized in the constituency till the time the model code of conduct prevailed. The police along with the flying squad and Election Commission have seized a total of Rs. 3,84,94,903.Till 28th October, the officials had seized total cash of Rs. 3,60,33,427. On 29th October, the police seized Rs.11,26,000.
Apart from cash, the police have also seized 1,557.370 liters of liquor worth Rs. 11,10,726.30 and 11.41 kg of ganja worth Rs. 69,750. Precious metals such as gold and silver bars were also seized, including around 30 grams of undocumented gold and 14 kgs of undocumented silver bars – all worth Rs. 10,60,000.The officials also seized clothes whose bills and purpose of use were not produced before them. It includes 66 sarees and 50 shirts worth Rs. 2,21,000.
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