• Assam Congress moves ECI accusing Himanta Biswa Sarma of violating Model Code of Conduct

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    Assam Congress moves ECI accusing Himanta Biswa Sarma of violating Model Code of Conduct
    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar received a letter from Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah accusing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma......


    Digital desk: The Assam Congress said that it has filed a complaint with the election commission against the prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Thursday, March 21. The complaint alleges that Sarma's comments made during a recent campaign trail violated the model code of conduct (MCC).  

    Launching the election campaign for the party candidate in Southern Assam’s Barak Valley on Monday, CM Sarma told reporters, "There is no use of casting vote for Congress candidates. You will have to ask them first whether they will remain with Congress or not. This time, except one, I can bring all the Congress candidates to BJP so where is the opposition? There is no point in spoiling the vote for such a candidate who is not sure of remaining with their party."

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar received a letter from Assam Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah accusing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of "willfully" and "deliberately" breaking the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

    Borah said, "The Assam chief minister on March 18 claimed that all the candidates of Indian National Congress will join BJP if he wishes. He further commented that all Congress candidates will join the BJP even if they win the election and so there is no point in casting a vote in favour of Congress. The said statement of the Chief Minister got wide publicity and it is sending the wrong message amongst voters in general."

    The head of the Assam Congress said that the CM's comments were against the model code of conduct (MCC) on two different grounds.

    "This, according to us is in violation of the Model Code of Conduct on two counts: (a) by making such an outrageously false statement which is not backed by any proof, he is trying to influence the voter's choice which is not by the Model Code of Conduct; (b) by making the said statements he is also trying to lure Congress candidates which again is not in tune with the conduct of free and fair election. It has been again and again commented by the Election Commission itself that the political leadership during the election should not indulge in loose talk during electionary and also should not make unsubstantiated allegations," Borah added in the letter.

    In light of the Assam Chief Minister's alleged breach of the model code of conduct (MCC), Borah urged the CEC to take "strict action" against him.

    “The above-referred statement on the face of it being a violation of the model code of conduct, the Hon’ble Commissioner should take strict action against the Chief Minister. We hope the Election Commission of India by maintaining its impartiality will initiate action against the Chief Minister,” Borah further stated in his letter.