The Election Commission has relaxed its rules and conceded the requests of three leaders on Monday for touring or staying in the districts where MLC polls are going.
“All the politicians are permitted to stay in the districts where elections are due. But, they should stay a few km away from the polling stations,” said sources in the Chief Electoral Office (CEO).
As a result, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will be able to tour rain-affected areas in Adilabad and Karimnagar districts. Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu will take up no activity and remain confined to his Ratham for almost 48 hours in Vemur in Guntur district. YSRCP leader Sharmila too has been permitted to stay in Nalgonda district. Naidu and Sharmila can resume their padayatras after 4 pm on February 21.
All the three leaders sought the permission of the EC for their programmes.
The chief minister who on Monday deferred his yatra will visit Adilabad and Karimnagar districts on Tuesday.
Chandrababu Naidu, who is in Guntur as part of his yatra, was asked by the EC officials to leave Guntur district by Feb 19 as no outsiders would be allowed till completion of polls at 4 pm on Feb 21.
Following a representation to CEO Bhanwar Lal, Naidu was permitted to stay put in Guntur district. Naidu will rest in his Ratham outside Vemur village for 48 hours. An election official will keep a tab on Naidu.