TPCC working president and former MP Ponnam Prabhakar has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disqualify Karimnagar TRS legislator-elect Gangula Kamalakar for spending more than the stipulated amount fixed by the EC for electioneering and for allegedly getting published ‘paid news’.
In a memorandum submitted to the ECI, New Delhi and State Election Commission in Hyderabad on Friday, a copy of which was released to the media here, Mr Prabhakar urged the ECI to disqualify Mr. Kamalakar under Section 10 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 for misleading the EC and also spending more amount in the elections than stipulated by the norms.
He also alleged that the MLA-elect used local television channels for his campaigning by paying them money.
‘Spent excess money’
He said that the TRS candidate had spent more than the EC stipulated amount and it was also observed by the EC shadow observer during the electioneering in Karimnagar.
Initially, the shadow teams had stated that the TRS candidate had spent more than ₹ 1 crore and later it was estimated at ₹ 55 lakh and now at ₹ 33 lakh after scrutiny.
With the TRS attaining power in the elections, the legislator-elect was trying to wield influence and further understating the election expenditure to avoid his disqualification, he alleged. He urged the ECI to disqualify the TRS legislator-elect to ensure transparency and accountability.