Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, M.P.,           9TH December,2007
Bharatiya Janata Party,
6, B.D. Marg,
New Delhi-110001.

General Election to Gujarat Legislative Assembly, 2007 – Violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct –- Regarding.

Schedule for holding the general election to Gujarat Legislative Assembly was announced by the Commission on 10 th October 2007 and immediately from that date Model Code of Conduct for guidance of Political Parties, Candidates and Party in power came into force.

Para-I of the said Code provides that -

(1) No party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

(2) Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.

It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that you have made speech as published in The Tribune, New Delhi dated 7th December 2007 (Press Clipping enclosed) stating that –She (Sonia Gandhi) has a hatred for Hindus. She speaks against Hindus and chooses to remain silent when atrocities are committed against the community', BJP deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, V. K. Malhotra, told to reporters here. ".

The Commission has considered the said news report. The Commission, prima-facie, is of the view that the statement made in the speech, amounts to violation of provisions of model code of conduct as referred above.

The Commission has decided that for considering further action in the matter, you are called upon to submit your reply in the matter, latest by 12.00 Noon on 11th December 2007.

**************

                                                              

Shri Digvijaya Singh,
General Secretary-Incharge,
Indian National Congress,
24, Akbar Road,
New Delhi-110011.

General Election to Gujarat Legislative Assembly, 2007– Violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct –- Regarding.

Schedule for holding the general election to Gujarat Legislative Assembly was announced by the Commission on 10 th October 2007 and immediately from that date Model Code of Conduct for guidance of Political Parties, Candidates and Party in power came into force.

Para-I of the said Code provides that -

(3) No party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

(4) Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.

It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that as per newspaper report as published in "Gujarat Vaibhav" dated 3rd December 2007, (copy of press clipping enclosed), you have stated that –. A copy of the complaint dated 4th December 2007 made by Shri Jayantilal S. Barot, General Secretary, BJP, Gujarat State in this regard is enclosed herewith.

The Commission has considered the said news report. The Commission, prima-facie, is of the view that the statement made in the speech, amounts to violation of provisions of model code of conduct as referred to above.

The Commission has decided that for considering further action in the matter, you are called upon to submit your reply in the matter, latest by 12.00 Noon on 11th December 2007.

*****************

Smt. Sonia Gandhi,
President,
Indian National Congress,
24, Akbar Road,
New Delhi-110011.

General Election to Gujarat Legislative Assembly, 2007– Violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct –- Regarding.

Schedule for holding the general election to Gujarat Legislative Assembly was announced by the Commission on 10 th October 2007 and immediately from that date Model Code of Conduct for guidance of Political Parties, Candidates and Party in power came into force.

Para-I of the said Code provides that -

(5) No party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.

(6) Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.

It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that you, in connection with the election campaign at Jamanpada, Chikhli (Navsari) on 01.12.2007, have made speech stating that – "during the rule of people who claim a Bhaya mukt Samaj, no body is safe. So many of my sisters, children and brothers have been exploited and are being exploited even now. Only criminals are safe; those who are getting protection from the Government. The truth is that …. Today, those running the Gujarat Government are liars, betrayers and merchants of fear and death". A copy each of complaints dated 2 nd December and 7th December 2007 made by Shri Jayantilal S. Barot, General Secretary, BJP, Gujarat State in this regard is enclosed herewith. A copy of C.D. relating to your aforesaid speech is also enclosed herewith.

The Commission has viewed the video recording of the said speech referred to above. The Commission, prima-facie, is of the view that the statement made in the speech viz: those running the Gujarat Government are liars, betrayers and merchants of fear and death , amounts to violation of provisions of model code of conduct as referred to above.

The Commission has decided that for considering further action in the matter, you are called upon to submit your reply in the matter, latest by 12.00 Noon on 11th December 2007.

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