 "SAD conference at Anandpur: Cong seeks action against Badals")
Congress today demanded action against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal for violating the Model Code of Conduct during its 'Hola-Mohalla' conference at Anandpur Sahib.
In a complaint filed with Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath, copies of which were released to the media here, a Punjab Congress spokesman alleged that the Badals violated the poll code "blatantly, flagrantly and wilfully" at Akali Dal's 'Hola-Mohalla' conference at Anandpur Sahib yesterday.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has advised all political parties against holding any conference on the occasion of 'Hola-Mohalla' at Anandpur Sahib.
The Chief Minister, who is supposed to lead by example and follow the Model Code of Conduct, chose to wilfully and blatantly defy the instructions issued by the ECI and made a political speech to influence the voters, Congress claimed.
Besides, Badal had also attacked the ECI and accused it of acting on the instructions of the central government and the Congress party to prevent the SAD conference, Punjab Congress spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira said.
"Badal equated the ECI instructions with the gag order issued during the days of the Emergency in the country, when freedom of speech and freedom to write were curbed," he said.
The Punjab Congress demanded strict legal action against Badal and Sukhbir for allegedly misusing religious places for canvassing and influencing voters in the name of religion.
According to sources, Badals had refrained from making any political speech at the Aali Dal conference at Anadpur Sahib yesterday. However, Badal lambasted ECI for imposing a ban on political conference within the premises of Sikh shrine at Anandpur Sahib.
In a complaint filed with Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath, copies of which were released to the media here, a Punjab Congress spokesman alleged that the Badals violated the poll code "blatantly, flagrantly and wilfully" at Akali Dal's 'Hola-Mohalla' conference at Anandpur Sahib yesterday.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has advised all political parties against holding any conference on the occasion of 'Hola-Mohalla' at Anandpur Sahib.
Also Read
"As per the ECI order, no political party could use any religious premises for the purpose of holding a conference. It is common knowledge that the SAD has been holding its annual political conference on the occasion of 'Hola-Mohalla' at a site provided by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC)," the spokesman said.
The Chief Minister, who is supposed to lead by example and follow the Model Code of Conduct, chose to wilfully and blatantly defy the instructions issued by the ECI and made a political speech to influence the voters, Congress claimed.
Besides, Badal had also attacked the ECI and accused it of acting on the instructions of the central government and the Congress party to prevent the SAD conference, Punjab Congress spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira said.
"Badal equated the ECI instructions with the gag order issued during the days of the Emergency in the country, when freedom of speech and freedom to write were curbed," he said.
The Punjab Congress demanded strict legal action against Badal and Sukhbir for allegedly misusing religious places for canvassing and influencing voters in the name of religion.
According to sources, Badals had refrained from making any political speech at the Aali Dal conference at Anadpur Sahib yesterday. However, Badal lambasted ECI for imposing a ban on political conference within the premises of Sikh shrine at Anandpur Sahib.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%