Jolly files complaint against Delhi CM for code of conduct violation

New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) Senior BJP leader and Bharatiya Janata Party nominee from New Delhi constituency Vijay Jolly today filed a complaint against Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit with the State Chief electoral officer for alleged violation of the code of conduct by appointing Justice M M Sarin as the New Delhi Lokayukt just before the polls.

In his complaint against Ms Dikshit, Mr Jolly said,''As per the model code of conduct, from the time elections are announced by the Election Commission, ministers and other authorities should not make any ad hoc appointments in the Government, Public undertakings and others which would effect or influence the voters in favour of the party in power.

Even though the Election Commission had announced the poll dates for Delhi Legislative Assembly in October, Sheila Dikshit appointed the third Lokayukt for the Capital on November 6.

''This malafide act of the Delhi government to strategise the appointment of the Lokayukt after a delay of nearly seven months, just before the polls, is a deliberate and calculated move with the ill intent to influence the Delhi voters in favour of the party in power.

The appointment of Justice M M Sarin as the new lokayukt of Delhi is a gross violation of the Election Commission's model code of conduct, which came into force with the announcement of the date of polling to the Delhi State Assembly,'' he said.

Mr Jolly requested the Delhi chief electoral officer to set aside the appointment of the Lokayukta and initiate proceedings against the Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government and take other necessary steps against the defaulter as per law.

Addressing a joint press conference along with film actor and BJP activist Vani Tripathi and party leader Poonam Azad, Mr Jolly said,''We have requested that the Chief electoral officer asks for a clarification from the Chief Minister on the issue.'' BJP's Poonam Azad, who contested against Ms Dikshit from New Delhi in the 2003 Assembly polls, said during the campaigning for the 2003 polls, a car of Delhi government employees was found campaigning for the Chief Minister in the Gole Market Constituency.

Former Delhi High Court Judge, Justice Manmohan Sarin on November 6 assumed charge as the Lokayukta for the National Capital.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna administered the oath of office to Justice Sarin.

Justice Sareen succeeds Mohd Shamim, who demitted office in May this year.

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