EC issues showcause notice against BJP MLA

Gandhinagar, Oct 26 (UNI) Cracking a whip against BJP MLA Pradeep Singh Jadeja, the Election Commission has issued him a show cause notice against him for printing pamphlets showing photograph of himself and Chief Minister Narendra Modi with symbol of BJP (lotus) along side the photographs of ''Maa Amba'', ''Jai Ambe ni Arti'' and ''Vishvambhai stuti''.

The pamphlets were distributed in ''garba'' programmes during the Navratri festival.

Mr Jadeja, who represents Asarwa Legislative Assembly Constituency in Ahmedabad, has been asked to reply to the Commission by 1200 hrs on October 28.

Taking serious note of the act of Mr Jadeja, the Commission said the Model Code of Conduct provides that ''there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda''.

Pradeep Singh Jadeja, by his above acts, had violated the provisions of Model Code of Conduct, the Commission said in its notice.

''Now, therefore, Pradeep Singh Jadeja is afforded an opportunity to explain his position as to why action should not be initiated against him for his above act,'' the notice said.

UNI