Once-bitten-twice-shy Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is now choosing his words very carefully while addressing the public meetings as part of his election campaign in the ongoing by-elections.

The Chief Minister received a rude jolt from the Election Commission which sought his explanation on his statement that each voter should cast 10 votes in favour of the Congress party in the by-elections.

Kiran sent an explanation to the EC stating that it was only a slip of tongue and what he had meant was that each Congress worker should ensure polling of at least 10 votes in favour of the party. His difficulty in Telugu language came to his rescue.

After that, the Chief Minister is doubly careful in addressing public meetings. On Friday, when he addressed a public meeting at Payakaraopet, Kiran tried to convey the message in a different way, but fumbled. He first said each voter has 10 fingers to vote for; and later amended his statement, saying each of them should convince 10 others to vote for the Congress.