Manjalpur poll threats, hooliganism: Congress president alleges no action despite representations

The City Congress Committee (CCC) has lodged a written complaint with the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act in the bypoll to the Manjalpur assembly seat held on Thursday. Congress president Ritvij Joshi has alleged that the Election Commission has conducted a "biased election" in Manjalpur claiming a free and fair election. According to the Congress submission, anti-social elements from outside the district were roaming freely with private weapons and vehicles on the polling day and intimidating voters. In the name of voter awareness, a crowd of 15 to 20 people were taking out rallies wearing drums, drums, thalis and vellans. They have stated that people's representatives of the ruling party and sitting MLAs were also involved in this. Despite representations made by Congress workers, the officials showed bias by not taking any action on the lure of the Malaidar post. The Congress has demanded immediate removal of such anti-democratic officials and officials by taking legal action against them.