E-Paper
Burning CM's effigy a violation of model code of conduct
The Sikkim Front claimed that CEC Krishnamurthy had termed the burning of Pawan Chamling's effigy as a violation of election code.
The Sikkim Democratic Front on Saturday claimed that Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy had termed the burning of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's effigy at a public meeting in Sikkim recently as a violation of the election code.
The CEC said this to a Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) delegation which meet him on the first day of his three-day visit of the hill state here today, SDF poll committee chairman B B Goorong who led the delegation told reporters.
On a query by the CEC regarding allegations by the Congress that its candidate for the Kabi-Tingla assembly seat P Bhutia had been abducted by the SDF, Goorang said the charge was unfounded as the "abducted" candidate had already appeared on a local cable TV network and denied that he had been kidnapped.
"These allegations are a result of the Congress fiasco in the four seats, the party is frustrated and therefore turning the heat on the SDF", Goorang said.
Soon after his arrival here this afternoon the CEC held closed door meetings with all the political parties which are in the fray for the coming Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the state including the SDF, the Congress, CPI(M), BJP and the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP).
Krishnamurthy also held meeting with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Chief Electoral Officer and Returning Officers.
The CEC will visit the Nathula Pass and the high polling station at Gnathang at an altitude of 12,700 ft tomorrow. Before leaving the state on third he will meet the Governor and address a press conference.
Anjan Upadhyay, member secretary of the CPI(M)'s Sikkim unit alleged that on several occasions during campaigning his party supporters have been assaulted and kidnapped by the SDF goons at the instigation of SDF's candidate from Chakung P S Tamang, who is a minister in the Chamling cabinet.
However, according to Deputy Commissioner (West) R Telang no FIRs in this connection have so far been lodged by the CPI(M).
Similarly SHRP also submitted a memorandum to the CEC alleging that their candidate from Melli, Bhim Kumar Rai has been missing since last week.
They have lodged an FIR with the Melli police station in this connection.
The Superintendent of Police, South District M S Tuli, in whose jurisdiction Melli falls clarified that the 'missing' candidate has already been seen moving around with his party leader R M Rai, who is also one of his proposers.
