Election Commission Censures Andhra CM Jagan, TDP Chief Naidu For Violating Code Of Conduct

While electioneering in the southern state, the EC recognised that both leaders had violated the provisions of the MCC by attacking each other with derogatory personal attacks during public addresses.

The EC also directed them to “remain careful during public utterances”.

The Election Commission on Monday censured YSRCP leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, as well as opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu, for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The EC on Monday also directed them to “remain careful during public utterances”.

While electioneering in the southern state over the past several days, the poll body recognised that both leaders had violated the provisions of the MCC by attacking each other with derogatory personal attacks during public addresses.

In its order addressed to the chief minister, Avinash Kumar, Principal Secretary, Election Commission, said, ‘’In the matter relating to MCC violations to Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, hereby, finds that utterances made during political discourse do not behave of a leader holding high public office of Chief Minister and strongly censures Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, President, YSRCP with the direction to remain careful in his public utterances in the future.’’

Kumar also issued a similar directive to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo Naidu. The Election Commission took note of Reddy hurling taunts such as ‘habitual offender’, ‘rogue’, ‘sadist’, and others at Naidu, including portraying him as a villainous character in some Tollywood movies. The commission also recognised Naidu's jibes at Reddy, including terms like 'venom spewing', 'mayala fakir' (evil movie character), 'fake fellow', and others.

Additionally, the Election Commission noted that both leaders did not refute the use of such words and statements in their responses to the show-cause notices, and furthermore, continued to engage in such behavior. Consequently, it directed Naidu and Reddy to exercise caution in their public addresses in the future.

The poll body emphasised the importance of political leaders adhering to the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) both in letter and in spirit, setting an example for political discourse.

The voting for the 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh are set for May 13, with the vote count scheduled for June 4.