EC serves show-cause notices to one CPI(M), two TMC leaders

The Election Commission (EC) has served show-cause notice to senior CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim and two Trinamool Congress leaders Razzak Molla and Anubrata Mondal for making derogatory comments.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had issued a show-cause notice against the three leaders from the two political parties after the commission had received some complaints against them. The leaders have been instructed to submit a report to the election official within 24 hours failing to which action will be taken against them.

The Commission has also instructed to initiate a departmental inquiry against Inspector in Charge of Uluberia police station in Howrah against whom the commission had received some complaints for violating the commission’s guidelines.

A senior official of the election commission said that these leaders had made some derogatory comments that violated the Model Code of Conduct. It was learnt that the commission had received some complaints against these leaders following which it had gathered some documents including the newspaper reports. After collecting the documents that State Election Commission officials sent them to Delhi. After verifying the documents senior EC officials in Delhi found that the remarks were derogatory in nature and hence they decided to show-cause these leaders. If the commission does not get satisfactory answer from these leaders it may take steps against them.

These leaders have to submit a report in writing to the Commission explaining why they had made such comments. It may be mentioned that some Trinamool Congress leaders had lodged complaints with the Commission against the Mohammed Salim for his derogatory speech at a rally. While in turn CPI(M) leaders lodged complaint against the Razzak Molla and Anubrata Mondal. BJP leader Locket Chatterjee also met senior election commission officials urging to take steps against Anubrata Mondal. It was learnt that the police officer had been accused of engaging the civic volunteers to escort the Central Forces while conducting the route march. The EC on Thursday also ordered banning of bike rallies for campaigning purposes.