New Delhi: BJP today knocked at the Election
Commission`s door, seeking immediate probe and action against
Congress candidate from Kotdwar assembly seat Surender Singh Negi for alleged violation of Representation of People Act.
He is contesting against Chief Minister B C Khanduri from
the Kotdwar assembly constituency.
Submitting a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner S
Y Quraishi in this regard here, BJP spokesperson Nirmala
Sitharaman said a high-level probe be initiated by the EC
against Negi and FIRs also be registered against him under
relevant sections of IPC and Representation of People Act.
"Today we have come to the Chief Election Commissioner on
a very serious matter of violation of the Representation of
People Act by the Congress candidate who is contesting in
Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, where the BJP`s chief ministerial
candidate B C Khanduri is contesting," said Sitharaman.
She alleged that in the last 48 hours when the
restriction for campaign and many other activities were
implemented, there was a "serious violation" by the Congress
nominee.
"The candidate Surender Singh Negi, representing the
Congress party, held processions, gheraoed the Kotdwar police
station and gone into the police station by force and
broken furniture and also with drunken followers abused and
used expletive language against the Chief Minister.
"Yesterday, he even held a press conference which is
strictly prohibited... He took out a procession also. All
these are clearly prohibited in the 48 hours before election,"
she said, adding that BJP Uttarakhand has already given a
complaint to Kotdwar Returning Officer and also submitted
another memorandum to Chief Electoral Officer in Uttarakhand.
Sitharaman said, "Today we have come and highlighted the
fact that inspite of an FIR filed against Mr Negi and about
200 of his followers, the relevant and most important section
- which is Section 126 of the People Representation Act-- has
not been invoked.
"This is very important and serious. So, we have
requested the Commissioners to look into this and inquire into
the conduct of this Congress candidate. They have assured that
they will look into the matter and come back to us."
The BJP memorandum said that "all necessary action,
however, regrettably belated, should be taken by the
Commission immediately."
"We trust that the Election Commission will ensure to all
parties a level-playing field and a free, fair and peaceful
polling today," it added.
PTI
