Karnataka - Bangalore   

Act against Congress, BJP tells poll panel

BANGALORE: The Bharatiya Janata Party has urged the Election Commission to initiate criminal proceedings against the Congress and also warn that party for allegedly violating the election code of conduct by using the national flag and national emblem of Ashoka Chakra in its election campaign.

The BJP State unit lodged a complaint with the Election Commission on Sunday in this regard.

In the complaint, copies of which were released to the press in Bangalore on Monday, the party alleged that an election campaign publicity CD brought out by the IT Cell of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee had the national flag and the Ashoka Chakra on its cover page and in three scenes.

Briefing presspersons in Bangalore on Monday, party general secretary S. Suresh Kumar alleged that the Congress’ CD also showed official activities of Prime Ministers right from Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh — to claim credit for the party. The Congress was seeking votes by showing the footage, he alleged.

Mr. Suresh Kumar alleged the CD, which was released in the presence of Union Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, also showed the death of three former Prime Ministers to get sympathy.

The Congress had committed an offence under the provisions of the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act – 1971, he alleged.

As per a circular issued by the Election Commission in November 2007, using of official activities and national emblem in the campaign was not allowed, he said.

Mr. Suresh Kumar ridiculed the former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda for reportedly stating that voting should be made mandatory for people.

He said the party would welcome the spirit behind his statement as it came in the wake of the low voter turnout in the Assembly elections in Bangalore. But Mr. Deve Gowda did not have the moral right to demand mandatory polling as he and his party MLAs had not voted in the presidential polls in 2007, he maintained.

He also criticised the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) for trying to link the BJP with the Hubli blasts.

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