Lucknow: Money and muscle power are in full play in the civic bodies elections now under way in Uttar Pradesh.
The election commission office in the city is flooded with complaints about bogus voting, misuse of government machinery and intimidation of opposition candidates, not only by ruling Samajwadi Party activists but also by the police.
Alleged police excesses against opposition nominees in both the first and second round of the three-phase polling October 28 and 31 sparked off arson and violence.
However, with the state election commission itself accused of bias, those at the receiving end are seeking the intervention of UP Governor T V Rajeshwar, who took prompt note of the complaints.
To add to the frustration, state election commissioner Aparmita Prasad Singh does not been hide his chagrin over the governor's reaction to the complaints.
"I wonder if it was appropriate for the governor to take note of petty complaints made by Tom, Dick and Harry. And he wants an inquiry carried out in every case," Singh said.
"The governor had forwarded a complaint against alleged misuse of authority by Transport Minister Naresh Agarwal in his home town Hardoi. I got it examined by the police and nothing substantial could be established against the minister. But the governor is not satisfied, so I have detailed my staff officer to personally look into the complaint," he added.
Reacting to Singh's observations, Raj Bhavan has said in an official press release that the governor was in no way trying to interfere with the functioning of the election commission.
"What the governor did was in fulfillment of his constitutional obligations," a Raj Bhavan communiqué said.
"Several people including political leaders called on the governor to register their complaint in connection with alleged irregularities and these were sent to the election commission for suitable action," an official said.
Since the civic polls are crucial to set the tone for the coming assembly elections early next year, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav does not wish to leave any stone unturned to ensure victory for his Samajwadi Party.
There was widespread violence in the first two rounds of polling in different parts of the state. Leaders of opposition parties have charged the police with intimidation of candidates and preventing voters from exercising their right freely.
Union Minister of State for Home Shriprakash Jaiswal staged a demonstration to mark his protest. He charged the Chief Minister with turning a blind eye to "terror tactics by ruling party activists and cops".
None of the political parties lagged behind in brazen display of money power, with extravagant display of posters, banners and hoardings and use of vehicles.
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