The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Promises of freebies `a violation of model code'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Promises of freebies `a violation of model code'

Special Correspondent

The BJP will take up the issue with Election Commission, says Sushma Swaraj

CHENNAI: The promise of `freebies' made by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are in "flagrant violation" of the model code of conduct, Bharatiya Janata Party deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj contended on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference here, she said her party would take up the issue with the Election Commission.

On her party's performance in the Assembly elections, the BJP leader expressed the hope that the party would fare "better" this time. "We are going to open our account in Kerala," she said.

As for the Direct-to-Home controversy surrounding Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran, Ms. Swaraj said it was an "obvious case of conflict of interests." Even for Members of Parliament, there existed a code of conduct. When they raised questions on the floor of the House, they had to declare that there was no conflict of interests. On the killing of the Indian engineer Suryanarayana in Afghanistan and the massacre of 22 persons in Doda and 13 in Udhampur, Ms. Swaraj said, "The Government is fighting terrorism in television (channels') studios."

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