CHENNAI: Madurai District Collector-cum-District Election Officer U Sagayam has denied the charge that he had canvassed for a change of government.
Sagayam stated this in his counter affidvit filed in the Madras High Court in response to a writ petition from Sathiavani of Anna Nagar in Madurai on Tuesday. The petition prayed for appropriate action against Sagayam for his alleged utterances at the colleges in Madurai.
Sagayam said that during his speeches at three colleges, he had stressed only on change of mind for avoidance of getting bribe from political parties, which would tantamount to selling democratic responsibility and duty. As a District Election Officer, his responsibility was confined to ensuring free and fair conduct of polls.
The writ petitioner had misinterpreted his speech by saying that the same would be understood by the public in such a manner that he was advocating for a change of power in the election. The petitioner’s contention was based on bias, false, intentional and criminal motive, he added and sought to dismiss the petition.
Meanwhile, advocate P Rathinam of Madurai has moved the High Court with a petition to implead himself as a party in the case. He said that Sagayam was a honest civil servant. The matter will be taken up on April 7.