Saumitra Khan under EC lens for not vacating govt guest house

Kolkata: Saumitra Khan, a former Trinamool Congress leader who is now contesting the Lok Sabha election from Bishnupur (SC) constituency after he joined the saffron brigade in January, has been under the scanner of the Election Commission for not vacating a government guest house.

As per the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), nobody can occupy a government guest house following the notification of elections particularly when he/she is contesting the elections. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) may seek a report from the District Election Officer (DEO) of West Burdwan in this regard. The district TMC leaders have recently registered a complaint with the Returning Officer of Durgapur saying that Khan has allegedly been staying in a government-owned guest house and had held a press conference there. In their complaint, the TMC leaders pointed out that Khan has been staying at the guest house in Durgapur flouting the ECI norms. They alleged that a candidate who is contesting the election cannot stay at a government guest house following the notification. After the matter came to light, the Commission has taken cognizance. The election officials will examine the report submitted by the DEO.

In another development, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer has sent a report to the ECI regarding the controversial statements made by Sayantan Basu who is contesting the election from Basirhat with a BJP ticket. The CEO office had earlier served a show-cause notice to Basu and sought a video of his derogatory speech. The CEO office is awaiting instructions from the ECI.