పోచారం 'settler' వ్యాఖ్యలపై కేంద్ర ఎన్నికల సంఘానికి విశాలాంధ్రమహాసభ ఫిర్యాదు

Visalandhra.org: A lot of verbal and physical actions of the separatists which violate the fundamental rights of the people have been going unchallenged in our state. This is basically because the affected do not want to further drive any wedge among people which the separatists revel in on a daily basis. However, it is important to isolate those who have made a career out of making totally unacceptable statements in the name of separate state.

It is with this view that Visalandhra Mahasabha has filed a petition with the Election Commission of India against recently elected Banswada MLA Pocharam Srinvias Reddy, who made objectionable remarks against people who settled in his constituency from other parts of the state.

We are reproducing the contents of the petition here:

The Chief Election Commissioner

Nirvachan Sadan

Ashoka Road

New Delhi – 110 001

                                                                                                    27 October 2011

Ref:  Press Statement of Shri Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, MLA -  Banswada in Nizamabad District of Andhra Pradesh –Regarding

We wish to make this representation to you on behalf of Vishalandhra Mahasabha, a non-political organistion committed to the cause of integrity of Andhra Pradesh in the face of agitations in Telangana, Rayalaseema and Coastal districts for the vivisection of the State in the name of sub-regional sentiments. We have no political affiliations of any kind.

Shri Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, MLA – Banswada who was earlier in Telugu Desam Party resigned from the party some time ago and joined the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS). In the bye-election caused by his resignation, he contested on behalf of the TRS and won the election on —- with an impressive margin of some 49000 votes. His Congress rival secured about 33000 votes when the TRS was expecting him to lose his deposit. On the 20^th October2011, Shri Reddy addressed a press conference celebrating his victory in which he said:

“Settlers claim they support the Telangana cause, but did not vote for it. They live on Telangana soil, but did not vote for us. They have to rethink about their attitude or face consequences,”

This is perhaps the first time a TRS MLA has openly attacked the attitude of people who have settled in Telangana and held out a threat on the ground they have not voted for him. By settlers, he meant the people from coastal districts of the State who settled in Nizamabad district about 70 years ago.  Holding out threats of this kind is punishable under Section 125 of Representation of People’s Act which reads as follows:

125. Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election.—Any person who in connection with an election under thisAct promotes or attempts to promote on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language, feelings of enmity or hatred, between different classes of the citizens of India shall be punishable, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Apart from the Representation of People’s Act, this is a cognizable offence u/s 153A of Indian Penal Code which reads as follows:

Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds or religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religions, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities and which disturbs or is likely to disturb the public tranquility, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.

In view of the culpable conduct of the MLA, we request you to order an enquiry by a senior officer of the Commission and initiate appropriate action against the MLA.

Thanking you.

C. Anjaneya Reddy, IPS

Visalandhra మహాసభ

ఆంధ్రజ్యోతి:"సెటిలర్లు తెలంగాణకు మద్ధతిచ్చారు, కానీ ఓట్లు వేయలేదు. వారు తెలంగాణ గడ్డమీద నివసిస్తున్నా మీకు ఓటు వేయలేదు. వారి వైఖరిపై పునరాలోచించుకోవాలి, లేకపోతే పర్యవసానం అనుభవిస్తారు'' అంటూ పోచారం శ్రీనివాసులరెడ్డి బాన్సువాడ ఉప ఎన్నికల అనంతరం అక్టోబర్ 20న చేసిన ప్రకటనను విశాలాంధ్ర మహాసభ భారత ప్రధాన ఎన్నికల కమిషనర్ దృష్టికి తీసుకెళ్లింది.

తెలంగాణ రాష్ట్రంలో స్థిర నివాసం ఏర్పరుచుకున్న కొందరు సెటిలర్స్‌ను బెదిరిస్తూ ప్రకటన చేసిన ఎమ్మెల్యేపై ' రెప్రజింటేటివ్స్ ఆఫ్ పీపుల్ యాక్ట్ ' లో సెక్షన్ 125, ఐపీసీ 153ఏ ఐపీసీ ప్రకారం చర్యలు తీసుకోవాలని ఫిర్యాదు చేసింది. ఈ విషయంపై ఎన్నికల కమిషన్ ఉన్నతాధికారితో విచారణ జరిపించి పోచారంపై చర్యలు తీసుకోవాలని విశాలాంధ్ర మహాసభ నాయకులు సి.ఆంజనేయరెడ్డి కోరారు.