EC reprimands Guj minister for violation of model code of conduct

The Election Commission of India (ECI)  on Friday reprimanded Gujarat minister for Agriculture Dilip Sanghani for violation of model code of conduct and has cautioned him to be careful in the future.

One Nathalal Sukhadia of Amreli district had filed a complaint against Sanghani for laying down foundation stone for road works in Baiarvadi area of Amreli Municipality on October 4, a day after the Election Commission announced assembly polls in the state of Gujarat.

Following the complaint the election commission obtained the video recording of the function and transcript of Sanghani's speech there and found that the minister had prima facie violated the model code of conduct which was in force from October 3. The ECI further issued notice to Sanghani and asked him to explain why action should not be taken against him.

Sanghani in his reply to the ECI denied having laid the aforesaid foundation stone on October4 or having participated in any such foundation stone laying function. He insisted that he had not violated the model code of conduct.

The Commission, after carefully considering Sanghani's reply, and witnessing the video footage of the said function and perusing the transcripts of the speeches made by the minister and others at the said function, was of the considered view that Sanghani duly participated in foundation stone laying ceremony of road works in Batarvadi area of Amreli on October 4 and thereby violated the model code of conduct.

"Now, therefore, the Commission hereby reprimands Dilip Sanghani, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat for the aforesaid violation of the Model Code of Conduct and cautions him to be careful in future," the ECI said in its order.