RK Nagar Returning Officer Shifted For Vishal Nomination Gaffe

The Election Commission has shifted the returning officer of the RK Nagar assembly constituency by-poll. The election commission too took a serious view of the gaffe committed by K Velusamy, the returning officer, over his actions vis-a-vis actor Vishal Reddy's nomination. In his place Praveen Nair, Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women managing director, has been posted.

The returning officer had initially rejected Vishal's nomination as it was incomplete. Then, bowing to Vishal and his fans' pressure, he announced that Vishal's nomination was valid. Then, in another flip-flop, he rejected the nomination. The returning officer said he had accepted the resignation under pressure from Vishal's fans.

The returning officer's actions have come in for criticism and DMK leader Stalin had even alleged that the election commission was in collusion with the ruling party in Tamil Nadu. He said the rejection of Vishal's nomination was aimed at benefiting the ruling party.