HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam has alleged that the Congress Government failed to conduct the GHMC elections in a free and fair manner which resulted in the low turnout.
Speaking to reporters here today, TDP leaders K Yerran Naidu, Ravula Chandrasekhara Reddy and others said they had urged the Election Commission before the elections to convene an all-party meeting to ensure a maximum turnout.
``The low turnout in the city, where educated people are in large numbers, is really bad for democracy.’’ Accusing the Congress, Lok Satta Party and MIM of luring voters, they said the Congress and MIM candidates threatened voters.
That was one of the reasons for voters not going to polling booths, they alleged.
Yerran Naidu said that Lok Satta Party president Jayaprakash Narayan had sent SMSes on the polling day seeking votes in violation of the model code. He said that a vehicle carrying LSP material and money was stopped by TDP workers and handed over to the police. An LSP candidate, R Ravinder Reddy, distributed money and liquor to voters in the colonies of Bagh Lingampally, he alleged.
The TDP alleged that Ministers violated rules and entered polling booths and canvassed on behalf of Congress candidates. The party lodged 34 complaints to the State Election Commission today.
In spite of this, Yerran Naidu claimed, the TDP would emerge as the single largest party in the city corporation.
Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu will hold a meeting with his party candidates tomorrow to analyse the poll trends.