Civic polls: Kerala Minister accuses former DGP of 'violation' of election code
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Tuesday accused former DGP and BJP candidate in the civic polls R Sreelekha of violating the election code by sharing a survey result favouring the NDA on her social media handle.
He alleged that it was a grave violation of the election code of conduct.
It was also "an insult to democracy" for someone who once held a top law-enforcement position to openly challenge the rule of law, he alleged.
In a statement, the senior CPI(M) leader said Sreelekha, the former DGP who is contesting as a BJP candidate from Shasthamangalam ward, had shared on her Facebook a survey result favouring the NDA ahead of the local body poll.
Sivankutty described the action as a blatant breach of election guidelines.
"It is astonishing that a person who spent an entire career enforcing the law would stoop to such conduct for political gain," he said.
The minister further said the attempt to circulate unauthorised surveys was aimed at misleading and influencing voters, reflecting a fear of electoral defeat.
According to the minister, those worried about the continuation of development initiatives in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation are resorting to "fake figures and illegal surveys."
He urged the public to recognise attempts by individuals--who should protect democratic values--to undermine them instead.
Sivankutty also wanted the State Election Commission to take immediate and stringent action against those violating the model code of conduct.
The voting in the first phase of the local body polls are progressing in seven southern districts of Kerala on Tuesday.
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Cong claims TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for govt formation in Tamil Nadu
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday claimed that TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for government formation in Tamil Nadu and its leadership has directed the state unit to take a final decision on the matter, keeping in view the state's sentiments.
The party, which fought the assembly election in alliance with the DMK, asserted that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government and that it is determined "not to have the BJP and its proxies run the government of Tamil Nadu in any manner".
Top Congress leaders held a meeting at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Tuesday evening that was attended by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, among others.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Congress general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal said the Congress leadership discussed the post-election scenario in Tamil Nadu.
"TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu. He has spoken about drawing inspiration from Perumthalaivar Kamaraj as well, in his political mission.
"The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to have the BJP and its proxies run the Government of Tamil Nadu in any manner," he said.
"Accordingly, the Congress leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Thiru Vijay's request, keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict," Venugopal told reporters.
Vijay's TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, falling short of the halfway mark. He needs the support of 10 MLAs to form a government with a simple majority. The results were declared only on Monday.
The Congress has won five seats, while the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has bagged four seats. The CPI and CPI-M have two seats each.
On the other hand, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has won 59 seats while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has won 47 seats.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won only one seat and so have the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK), while the VCK has won two seats.
The Congress had fought the assembly polls in a pre-poll alliance with the DMK, while the BJP had a tie-up with the AIADMK.
