Hyderabad: Despite the Election Commission instructing political parties to stop campaigning post 4 pm on April 28, few candidates continued to campaign on social networking sites on Tuesday.
A Malkajgiri MP candidate was active on Facebook for hours together while Khairatabad Assembly candidates were available on Google Hang Out. At Addagutta area near Secunderabad Cantonment, campaigning for the YSRC candidate was in full swing during early hours, in violation of the election code of conduct.
Dr G.V Rao, general secretary of the Alwal Resident Welfare Association, said, “Leaders who are fighting for electoral reforms have themselves continued campaigning on social media in a clouded manner which should have not been done as per the EC rules. Since morning, Malkajgiri MP candidate Jayaprakash Narayan was active on his official Facebook face seeking votes. As late as 5 pm on Tuesday (24 hours after the dead line) he updated ‘Support Lok Satta for a Better Future’. A person like JP who claims to be an intellectual, should not violate rules since he has been fighting for electoral reforms. He continued to be active on his official page till evening.”
In most Assembly constituencies falling under Malkajgiri Parliamentary constituency, volunteers of all political parties were seen distributing pamphlets. “When questioned about the deadline and election code, the volunteers distributing pamphlets said, “We are helping the election team distribute photo voter slips,” said Ms Sujatha Krishnamurthy. In certain areas, pamphlets were distributed with the voter slips. According to sources, huge cash distribution was in full swing at Addagutta and YSRC campaigning was on since the early hours on Tuesday.
‘Dark horse’ seeks vote
Under the pen name of Kala Ghoda, an email titled ‘Letter to my nation’, written by a Hyderabadi, has been doing the rounds on the Internet. Starting off with the ideology of a common man, the email finally hints at voting for either one party or the other, including CPI, Congress or YSRC and promotes activities of these parties.
“My country is being influenced by so many people, a large number of them criminals and many not qualified to talk about issues of India. I want my opinion to be heard and I want to go out on the road and scream but I fear for my life and that is why I write anonymously,” the letter read.
