EC notices to Amrinder, Badal for violating code

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) The Election Commission today issued show cause notices to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and president of Shiromani Akali Dal Prakash Singh Badal for violations of instructions while filing nomination papers.

Both have been asked to file their replies by 1500 hrs tomorrow.

The polling for assembly elections in Punjab is scheduled for February 13.

Recently, the EC had shifted state director general of police (DGP) S S Virk after opposition parties expressed concerns regarding what they described was his partisan attitude. The poll panel has directed the state chief secretary not to assign him any election-related duties.

Ironically, opposition parties alleged that Mr Amarinder Singh had extended favours to the DGP by way of clearances of concessions worth Rs 250 crore for the multi-crore Chandigarh International Convention Centre project being set up by Mr Virk and his brother R D S Virk.

Opposition leaders said the favours were aimed at securing Mr Virk's cooperation in rigging the upcoming poll for the ruling party.

Mr Badal was the first to welcome the EC's decision to shift out Mr Virk, saying that the party's claims that a free and fair election in Punjab was not possible under him had been vindicated.

UNI