ONGOLE: Prakasam district collector and election officer GSRKR Vijay Kumar disqualified Zilla Parishad chairman Eedara Haribabu on Monday, following a complaint from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that the latter had violated party whip during ZP chairman elections held on July 13.
Eedara Haribabu, who won as ZPTC member on TD ticket from Ponnaluru, was elected ZP chairman with the support of the YSR Congress ZPTC members amid high drama, contesting as an independent candidate.
While there are a total of 56 ZPTCs in the district, TDP ZP chairman candidate bagged 27 votes. However, Eedara Haribabu emerged as the winner with a margin of one vote, as 27 YSRC ZPTC members supported him as independent candidate. One ZPTC member was absent on the day.
Irate at Eedara Haribabu contesting for ZP chairman post as an independent, the TDP members lodged a complaint with the district collector saying that he had violated party whip during the polls.
After inquiring into the matter, the collector disqualified Haribabu as Ponnaluru ZPTC member, which means he will also lose ZP chairman post.
However, Haribabu refused to comment on the issue saying that he will respond only after receiving a notice from the collector.