NEW IND PRESS (Chennai, India) 11 October 06 Campaigning with python lands candidate in trouble
Varanasi (UNI): Soliciting votes in local body polls with a python around his neck is likely to prove dear for Akhilesh Kumar Srivastava, an aspiring municipal corporator for Varanasi Nagar Nigam’s Ranipur ward.
Uttar Pradesh wildlife authorities are contemplating action against the aspiring corporator, if his style of electioneering with a live python is found violative of provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Akhilesh, an independent candidate who swiftly shot into public spotlight owing to this strange campaign style, also ended up drawing the attention of wildlife authorities.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kashi Range, Alok Srivastava said here on Tuesday that a team of Forest Department personnel was sent to his house to liberate the python. The team, however, failed to trace the big reptile.
‘‘Such practice is illegal and punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act,’’ he said.
Under the Wildlife Protection Act, python has been listed under Schedule I, that deals with rare and endangered species. Keeping such species in captivity is unlawful and any torture against the animal amounts to an offence.
The DFO said that Chief Wildlife Conservator of the State, Mohammed.A Hasan, has instructed the department to send a fact finding team to the candidate’s house.
Campaigning with python lands candidate in trouble