The Hindu : Front Page : Varun’s rallies to be video-tracked

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Thursday, Mar 19, 2009
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Varun’s rallies to be video-tracked

J. Balaji

He and party to reply to notice by 11 a.m. Friday

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Varun Gandhi, who has attracted widespread condemnation for his alleged “inflammatory” communal speeches in his Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh, will hereafter come under the watchful eyes of the Election Commission. It has ordered video-tracking of all his visits, rallies and functions.

The full Commission — Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami and Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S.Y. Quraishi — on Wednesday directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer A.K. Bishnoi to depute a video cameraperson to accompany a magistrate and to provide them adequate security to do the job.

In notices sent to Mr. Gandhi and the national and Uttar Pradesh State presidents of the BJP, in Delhi and Lucknow respectively, the Commission sought an explanation from them by 11 a.m. on Friday for disregarding and violating the provisions of the model code of conduct, failing which it will take further action. It also enclosed copies of the CD that allegedly contains a speech of Mr. Gandhi.

The Commission told the grandson of Indira Gandhi: “Based on the report of the CEO, you [Mr. Gandhi] have violated the model code of conduct by inciting communal feeling through your speeches.”

What the code says

It pointed to the relevant provisions in the code that said: “No party or candidate shall indulge in any activity, which may aggravate the existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic;” and “there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as a forum for election propaganda.”

The Commission said it received a report from the Pilibhit District Election Officer through the CEO, which said, “BJP member Varun Gandhi has violated the code by inciting communal feelings through his speeches made at public gatherings at Mohalla Dalchand, Kotwali Pilibhit and Kasba Barkheda on March 7 and 8.”

The Commission on Tuesday ordered registration of a criminal case against Mr. Gandhi under the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for his “communal speeches.” It also ordered suspension/transfer of some district officials.

Corrections and Clarifications

The first paragraph of the lead story "Varun's rallies to be video-tracked" (March 19, 2009, page 1) was "BJP leader Varun Gandhi .". He is no leader but just the BJP's candidate for the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency (Uttar Pradesh).

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