Burning CM's effigy model code violation: CEC
TS Krishnamurthy has said that the burning of the CM Pawan Chamling's effigy at a public meeting was a violation of the model code of conduct.
The Chief Election Commissioner, TS Krishnamurthy, on Saturday said that the burning of the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's effigy at a public meeting in Sikkim recently was a violation of the model code of conduct.
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, SDF poll committee chairman BB 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 feet on Sunday. Before leaving the state on third he will meet the Governor and address a press conference.