Pro-tem Speaker violated rules by campaigning in bypoll, says Narayanasamy

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy on Monday said the campaign undertaken by Puducherry Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan in Thattanchavady constituency for the October 6 bypoll was against rules.

Addressing a press conference, he said the Pro-tem Speaker should be apolitical and his campaign for the AINRC candidate, Ashok Anand, was in violation of rules. The Election Commission should intervene on the issue, he added.

Responding to the charge, the Pro-tem Speaker said the Congress leader was free to approach the Court and Election Commission of India on the issue. There was no violation of rules as Speakers in the past have participated in election campaigns, he claimed.