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Days ahead of the assembly election in Telangana, cash worth Rs 82.2 crore was seized in separate searches carried out in the poll-bound state on different occasions, since the Model Code of Conduct came into force.
Illegal liquor worth Rs 6.6 crore was also seized by the police and income tax officers, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar was quoted as saying by ANI.
To a query, he said it came to the Election Commission's notice that certain political leaders were attempting to influence the electorate in the name of caste and religion and attending caste and religion-based meetings.
"It is not permitted to make promises to particular caste or religion in the context of elections," he noted.
To another question, he said he did not receive any direction from the polling body to conduct inquiry against the Collector of Sangareddy District, Hanumantha Rao, to ascertain whether the official was holding the same position for over three years, which is violation of Model Code of Conduct.
Some political parties have made a representation to the polling body seeking his removal as District Electoral Officer alleging that he was continuing in the post since 2014, contrary to the rule.
Meanwhile, an official release from the Chief Electoral Officer's office said as many as 540 nominations put together have been filed till today by political parties in the state for the December 7 Assembly polls.
Candidates on behalf of Congress filed 77, while the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) filed 98, the BJP 65 and aspirants from Telugu Desam Party filed 14 nominations.
Seeking reelection, Caretaker Chief Minister and TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao and several of his colleagues filed papers from their respective constituencies yesterday.
Mr Rao is in the poll fray from Gajwel constituency. The process of filing nominations began on November 12 and the last date is November 19.
(With agency inputs)
