As the election polling date in Andhra Pradesh approaches, the issue of volunteers has once again gained political proportions. The High Court and the Central Election Commission have already issued orders that volunteers should not interfere in election duties.
But recently the AP High Court has given important directions in the matter of volunteers. A petition has been filed in the High Court informing that several volunteers resigning from their posts are working in the election campaigning of the ruling party.
In this context, BC Youth Party President Bode Ramachandra Yadav has filed a petition in the High Court to order that their resignations should not be accepted. The counsel for the petitioner argued that thousands of volunteers are resigning to benefit the ruling party.
It is argued that if the volunteers’ resignations are accepted, they will influence the voters in favor of the ruling YCP. The AP High Court, which examined this, directed the Election Commission to provide the details of volunteers who resigned. Later, the hearing was adjourned to Wednesday.
On the other hand, the opposition has previously complained to the Election Commission that the volunteers who are receiving honorarium from the government will act in favor of the ruling party if they participate in the election duties. They also approached the courts.
As a result, the EC took a decision to keep them away from election duties. Also, it has been clarified that the benefit of welfare schemes should not be given by volunteers while the Election Code is in force. It exempted them from distribution of government schemes like pensions and ration.
Due to this, some volunteers have resigned from their posts in many places across the state. After their resignations, they are also participating in the election campaign on behalf of YSR Congress Party candidates.