ASSAM POLLS 2021: Election Commission of India serves notice to Himanta for MCC “violation”

GUWAHATI: 

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday served a notice to Bharatiya Janata Party star campaigner and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by “threatening” to send Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary to jail by misusing the central agency, NIA”.

“The Commission is, prima facie, of the view that Sarma has violated the provisions (Clause 2 and 4 of Part-I) of the Model Code of Conduct,” the notice by the ECI read.

The Indian National Congress (INC) had also accused Sarma of attempting to influence citizens against voting for the INC alliance, including Mohilary’s party, the notice read.

“The Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your position in making the statement on or before 5 pm on 2nd April 2021 failing which the Commission shall take a decision without any further reference to,” the notice served by secretary, Ajay Kumar Verma, stated.

The ECI notice to Sarma comes in the wake of a complaint by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) against the BJP key poll strategist of violation of MCC, which has been in force in view of the three-phase Assembly polls in Assam.

In a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner last Tuesday, the AICC sought “disqualification of the candidature of Sarma from the ongoing Assembly elections in Assam, by exercising powers under Article 324 of the Constitution of India for violating the MCC, and prohibition of the BJP leader from campaigning during the remaining poll period in Assam.”

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