Using Yoga for politics banned in poll-bound Bihar

The directive was issued after JD-U approached the election commission, complaining that the BJP was propagating yoga day as its party event

Ahead of the International Yoga Day celebrations, the State Election Commission (SEC) in poll-bound Bihar prohibitted using yoga for politics on Sunday after a complaint by the ruling JD-U, officials said.

The directive was issued after Janata Dal-United (JD-U) approached the election commission, complaining that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was propagating yoga day as its party event despite model code of conduct being in place.

V Nasyak, the chief electoral officer, Bihar, urged all political parties to ensure that the official programme of International Yoga Day was not used for political purposes as the model code of conduct was in force in poll-bound state.

"I have asked all the concerned officials including district magistrates in districts to videograph the events and ensure that no violation of model code takes place," Nayak said.

The JD-U had approached the SEC to prevent violation of the Model Code of Conduct for the biennial elections to the legislative council and misuse of government funds and resources.

Senior JD-U leader Sanjay Singh said a delegation of party leaders had filed a complaint with the election commission.

"BJP president Amit Shah's programme to participate in yoga camp in Patna and other senior BJP leaders including half a dozen union ministers participation were propagated through radio, television, newspapers and other medium by misusing the government funds when model code of conduct was in force," Singh said.

The state election commission (SEC) on Saturday also stayed the high-tech 'Badh Chala Bihar' campaign of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar following BJP's complaint.

"The SEC put a stay on 'Badh Chala Bihar' campaign till July 10 as the legislative council elections for 24 seats will be held July 7," officials said.