EC notice to BJP leader Vijayvargiya for chunnu-munnu, gaddar jibes
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday revoked the star campaigner status of senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath for repeated violations of model code. In another decision regarding senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya remarks “chunnu-munnu” and “gaddar” against Congress’ Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath, the EC advised him not to use “any such word” in his public utterances during the model code period. The EC also barred MP Minister Mohan Yadav from holding any campaign.
In its order against former MP CM, the EC has slammed Nath for using the word “item” for a woman candidate and said that the usage of the word for a woman constitutes a violation of the advisory issued by the commission. The Commission has further expressed its displeasure and said despite being a leader of a political party, Nath is repeatedly violating the provisions of Model Code of Conduct and breaching ethical and dignified behaviour.
The commission said, “…for repeated violation of Model Code of Conduct and for completely disregarding the advisory issued to him, the Commission hereby revokes the status of leader of a political party (Star Campaigner) of Kamal Nath, Ex-Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, with immediate effect for the current by-elections of Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh.” It said no permission will be granted by authorities to Kamal Nath as a star campaigner.
“However, if any campaign is done by Kamal Nath from now onwards, the entire expenditure related to travel, stay and visit will be completely borne by the candidate in whose constituency he carries out campaigning,” it said. The EC pulled up Nath for using words such as “item” to address a woman during campaigning for the bye-elections while the Model Code of Conduct is in effect. Taking another complaint in consideration, where the Congress leader has spoken against current State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and referred to him as “mafia” and milawatkhor”, the Commission has said that its report confirms violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
In the order against BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, the EC said the Commission has carefully considered the matter “and is of the considered view that Kailash Vijayvargiya has violated Para (2) of Part I of the General Conduct Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates”.
The commission had issued a notice to the BJP leader on October 26 seeking his reply. The poll body advised Vijayvargiya that “while making public utterances he should not use any such word or statement during the period of Model Code of Conduct.”
According to the notice, the statement made in Sanwer, Indore, during an election rally on October 14 against the two was found to be in violation of the provisions of the model code. The BJP leader had also dubbed them as “gaddar” or traitors. In his response, Vijayvargiya said the remarks quoted in the notice are in a complete misunderstanding of its context. The complaint is in an election driven narrative of the Congress party to change the course of the election, he said.
The BJP leader also said that “abiding by the directions of the Election Commission and the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct is paramount for him as well as every party worker of the BJP, and he has the highest regard of the same.” Bypolls to 28 Madhya Pradesh Assembly seats will be held on November 3 for which campaigning is on.
Saturday, 31 October 2020 | PNS | New Delhi
