Jagan booked for controversial remark against Chandrababu Naidu

Hyderabad, Aug 23 (IANS) Police in Andhra Pradesh's Nandyal assembly constituency on Wednesday registered a case against YSR Congress Party president Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy for his alleged remark that there is nothing wrong if Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is shot dead.

On a day when the polling was held for the by-election in Nandyal, police registered a case against Jaganmohan Reddy on a complaint lodged by returning officer Prasanna Venkatesh.

On the direction of the Election Commission, the returning officer also issued a warning letter to Jagan, as the leader is popularly known, for violation of the model code of conduct.

Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal told reporters here on Wednesday evening that the Election Commission had authorised the returning officer to issue the warning letter. "A police case has also been filed," he said.

Police booked the leader of opposition under various sections of Representation of People's Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Bhanwarlal denied that there was any delay in taking action on the complaint by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). He clarified that they had to follow the due process which included issuing show cause notice, going through the reply and sending the English translation of the speech to the Election Commission.

He said the letter from the Election Commission was received on Monday evening and the same was forwarded to the returning officer. The CEO said the returning officer could not issue the warning letter on Tuesday as he was busy with the polling arrangements.

Addressing an election meeting earlier this month, Jagan had remarked that there is nothing wrong if Chandrababu Naidu is shot dead on road. He was criticising TDP chief for failing to fulfill his promises.

Taking a strong exception to Jagan's remarks, the TDP had lodged a complaint with CEO on August 8.