EC issues fresh notices to Varun Gandhi, BJP, says both violated poll code

New Delhi, Mar.18 (ANI): The Election Commission on Wednesday slapped fresh notices on both Varun Gandhi and the Bharatiya Janata Party seeking their response by Friday to what it termed were clear violations of the Model Code of Conduct.

Gandhi has been charged with issuing anti-communal statements during a rally in his Pilibhit constituency, and the Election Commission has even ordered a video tracking of his entire campaign.

"The commission is of the opinion that the above action on your part amounts to violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct," the EC said in its notice, referring to the speeches made by Gandhi in Mohalla Dalchand, Kotwali Pilibhit and Kasba Barkheda in Uttar Pradesh on March 7 and 8.

"Therefore, you are called upon to explain by 11 hours on March 20 as to why action should not be taken against you," the EC said, a day after filing a criminal case against Gandhi for his inflammatory utterances.

In its notice to the president of the BJP, Rajnath Singh, the EC said that it was of the opinion that the action of Gandhi as a member of the BJP amounted to a violation of Model Code of Conduct and asked it to reply by Friday as to why the party disregarded and violated the provisions of the Code.

The commission said it has received a report of the district election officer, Pilibhit, on Tuesday stating: "you (Gandhi) have violated the Model Code of Conduct by inciting communal feeling through your speeches". A copy of the CD was sent to both Gandhi and the party.

The Election Commission also suspended two senior officials of Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh and transferred two others on the charge of failing to act against Varun Gandhi for his alleged inflammatory speech.

While the Additional District Magistrate and Additional SP were suspended, the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police have been shifted and would not be given any election-related work. (ANI)