The Hindu : National : BJP seeks action against Manmohan for `violation'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 04, 2006

National

National

BJP seeks action against Manmohan for `violation'

Special Correspondent

Petition submitted to the CEC

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday charged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with violating the Model Code of Conduct by announcing a Rs. 602-crore financial package for victims of ethnic violence in Assam. (This was denied by the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday.)

A five-member delegation of the party, led by its vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, met Chief Election Commissioner B. B. Tandon and submitted a petition to him demanding suitable ``punitive and corrective'' action against the Prime Minister.

The petition said Dr. Singh announced the package for rehabilitation of the families of those killed or injured in the tribal conflicts of last year. ``This is a flagrant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Part VII of the Code contains specific instructions to the party in power. Sub para (vi) of this part states that from the time the elections are announced by the Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not (a) announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof,'' it said.

The petition pointed out that the Prime Minister was not even hinting at a possible relief but made an announcement of a specific sum as package for a specific purpose of rehabilitation.

The announcement was reportedly made in the tribal belt of Karbi Anglong. ``Such an announcement almost takes the form of an inducement by way of bribery to the voters of a particular constituency. Such a breach of code by no less a person than the Prime Minister himself lends a serious dimension to the matter,'' the petition said.

Congress' poser

The Congress on Monday challenged the BJP to produce evidence of Dr. Manmohan Singh announcing the package for victims of ethnic violence in Assam.

The open challenge came within minutes of the BJP submitting a petition to the Election Commission.

Responding to questions at the party's routine briefing, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said: ``Where is the proof? This is the height of irresponsibility. They are trying to mislead the nation in general and the people of Assam in particular.''

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