Hyderabad: Many encroachers, illegal builders, liquor syndicate mafias are running for the Secunderabad Cantonment Board elections scheduled for January 11.
There are about 115 candidates contesting for the eight civilian wards. “At least 100 of them, who are either contesting themselves or have fielded their spouses, face charges of encroachment, illegal construction or supporting illegal constructions,” said a top SCB official.
Sadakeshav Reddy, who is contesting from Ward 2, was served a notice for occupying 40 per cent of a public park in Tadbund and taking up illegal constructions. He has secured a stay from the court. P. Venkat Rao, whose daughter P. Nalini Kiran is contesting from Ward 4, was served notice for illegal construction in Boosareddyguda.
Jetti Umeshwar Rao, who had complained against corruption among the elected members, said, “B. Mallikarjuna, who is now contesting from Ward 6, was arrested by the CBI for occupying park land.”
Mr Rao said the CBI had raided Jampanna Pratap (Ward 1), J. Ramakrishna (Ward 5) and Jaiprakash (Ward 8). As per the Cantonment Electoral Rules, 2007, they don’t have to file an affidavit on their criminal record, unlike in the general elections.
SCB chief executive officer Sujatha Gupta said though candidates don’t need to file the affidavits, “Cantonment rules don’t allow elected Board members if they have violated rules. If elected, they will be disqualified.”
SCB returning officer Vittal said, “If someone secures a court order against such candidates, they will be disqualified.”
