EC censures Assam CM for violating poll code

Guwahati (Assam), Nov 8 : The Election Commission (EC) has censured Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for violating the Model Code of Conduct during campaigning for the assembly bye-elections in the state.

The Commission, after going through the entire material, including video clipping and the transcription of Gogoi's campaign speeches, said the allegations made against him stand 'substantiated.'

In its order, the EC said it has censured Gogoi for violation of the Model Code for the bypolls held on November 7 and advised him to be careful in the future.

The EC order came after a complaint was made to the Commission that the Chief Minister, while campaigning in Dhekiajui constituency in the state on November 3 made promises to the electorate that if the candidate of his party won, he would provide a special package for the all-round development of the constituency.

It was also alleged that Gogoi had promised to fulfil the demand for making the constituency a sub-division and to build a library in the name of martyrs of a movement for creation of the sub-division.

Taking note of the complaint, the EC had issued a notice the Chief Minister on November 6 seeking an explanation from him on the charges of violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

On Nov 7, Gogoi sent an explanation to the notice in which he said that he had only reiterated the stand of the government mentioning that the development of backward and border areas of the state, under which Dhekiajuli falls, had been of special priority under the declared policy of the Assam government, said an EC release.

The Chief Minister had stated that the issues raised in his speech were in responses to the specific demands made by the people during his visit and were not conditional in any respect.

According to the release, he had also said it was the responsibility of the state government to give special impetus to the development of all the areas including Dhekiajuli and that his speech in the constituency was meant to convey this.

The Model Code of Conduct was in operation in Sonitpur and Dhubri districts of Assam, where the assembly bye-elections were held for Dhekiajuli and South Salmara constituencies on Nov 7.

--ANI