As Voting day draws near, there is heightened pressure in the air as all parties try and push the envelope on what is and isn’t permissible during electioneering.
Sushil Kumar Modi, BJP’s prime candidate for the Chief Minister’s post, had an FIR filed against him for violating the Model Code of Conduct, as laid down by the Election Commission. He apparently made voter inducements during an election rally, wherein he promised 50,000 laptops to students, colour TVs, sarees and dhotis, if BJP came to power.
Coming from the ex-Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and a potential candidate for the CM’s post, it was indeed surprising to see him make the announcement, knowing fully well that the Model Code of Conduct was in play. SK Modi, however, defended his statement stating that during elections it was normal for parties to inform people how they would benefit if their party came to power. While this may sound logical, the debate is an old one and has been extensively debated within the EC office but all parties flout rules before each election.
The EC office has clear guidelines on these and it is for parties to ensure compliance or face action as per law defined. In Sushil Modi’s case, this could become an embarrassment if BJP does come to power and he is seriously considered to take over the CM’s post.
Not to be left behind was Lalu Prasad Yadav, who had an FIR filed against him for making the ‘backward versus forward’ caste remark, during a poll rally at Raghopur. He had called upon his Yadav community to come together with OBCs in a fight to defeat the ‘forward’ castes. Although, Lalu Prasad Yadav is not standing for elections, as he faces a ban, the FIR could spell trouble for him, going forward.
As Voting day draws near, there is heightened pressure in the air as all parties try and push the envelope on what is and isn’t permissible during electioneering.
Sushil Kumar Modi, BJP’s prime candidate for the Chief Minister’s post, had an FIR filed against him for violating the Model Code of Conduct, as laid down by the Election Commission. He apparently made voter inducements during an election rally, wherein he promised 50,000 laptops to students, colour TVs, sarees and dhotis, if BJP came to power.
Coming from the ex-Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and a potential candidate for the CM’s post, it was indeed surprising to see him make the announcement, knowing fully well that the Model Code of Conduct was in play. SK Modi, however, defended his statement stating that during elections it was normal for parties to inform people how they would benefit if their party came to power. While this may sound logical, the debate is an old one and has been extensively debated within the EC office but all parties flout rules before each election.
The EC office has clear guidelines on these and it is for parties to ensure compliance or face action as per law defined. In Sushil Modi’s case, this could become an embarrassment if BJP does come to power and he is seriously considered to take over the CM’s post.
Not to be left behind was Lalu Prasad Yadav, who had an FIR filed against him for making the ‘backward versus forward’ caste remark, during a poll rally at Raghopur. He had called upon his Yadav community to come together with OBCs in a fight to defeat the ‘forward’ castes. Although, Lalu Prasad Yadav is not standing for elections, as he faces a ban, the FIR could spell trouble for him, going forward.
