EC issues notice to Himachal CM

Shimla, Nov 14: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a showcause notice to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for asking poll officials to ''behave properly.'' The notice was issued to Mr Singh after the Commission received a report, which said, that after a vehicle with a beacon light was detained on Saturday (November 10) the Chief Minister told the Kinnuar Deputy Commissioner and the SP to ''behave'' properly as he had posted them in the district.

The Commission said during Mr Singh's meeting with the observers, two days later, on Monday he had told them that ''detaining of the vehicle fitted with red light was illegal on the part of the DC and SP''.

''The model code of conduct is not a law and I know what the law is,'' it quoted the Chief Minister as saying.

Observing that his remarks were a case of blatant interference in the election process, the Commission said this amounted to threatening and intimidating poll officials.

The EC has sought Mr Singh's reply on the issue by 1100 hrs tomorrow.

UNI