GUWAHATI: After the Assam Chief Minister, the Election Commission (EC) of India has now issued a show-cause notice to Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal for violation of the Model Code of Conduct at election campaigns speeches.
The notice was served following a complaint initiated by Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, whereby it was alleged that Singhal in his campaign speech at Gossaigaon said that "there will be no development in the constituency if people didn't vote for BJP in the by-election, and that construction work on a dyke would be started within two months after voting for the BJP in power..."
Similar statements were also made by the Minister during other campaign speeches.
The notice issued on October 27 directs the Minister to submit his reply before 5 PM today, October 28.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) held that as per provisions in the Model Code of Conduct, all scrupulous activities which are 'corrupt practices' and offenses under the election law, such as bribing of voters and intimation of voters, are to be avoided by all political parties.
Further offenses were committed by Ashok Singhal in conducting election meetings without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority.
As such, a show-cause notice has been served to the Minister.
Previously, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was let off with a warning by the Election Commission after he apologised while serving the show-cause notice for violation of the Model Code of Conduct.