EC showcauses two Bengal MLAs

Kolkata, Mar 23 (UNI) The Election Commission has issued show cause notices to CPI(M) Chief Whip Rabin Deb and Trinamool Congress MLA Manturam Pakhira for violation of Model Code of Conduct in West Bengal, where polls begin from April seven.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Debasish Sen today told reporters that both Mr Deb and Mr Pakhira had been asked to reply by March 27.

''If they fail to reply within the deadline, the EC will take appropriate action against them, assuming that they have nothing to say, '' he said.

While the Model Code of Conduct had become effective in the state from March 1 with the announcement of election dates, Mr Deb, the member from the city's Bullygunge constituency, had reportedly participated between March 3 and 5 in few programmes for distribution of tricycles, wheelchairs and cooking gas cylinders. He also took part in health check-up camps, Mr Sen said.

On the other hand, the EC had reports that Mr Pakhira, an MLA from Kakdwip constituency, had issued checques valued at Rs 100,000 to the implementing agencies for few projects under the Area Development Fund for MLAs.

The CEO said the EC had been constantly taking reports from its channels to monitor implementation of the Model Code of Conduct in the state. It had already directed to erase all wall writings put up by political parties as part of election campaign before enforcement of the Model Code.

While wall graffitis were banned under a state Act, the issue came under the direct jurisdiction of the EC after announcement of election dates.

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