BJP moves EC against Jairam

New Delhi: The BJP on Friday moved the Election Commission on what it described as violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, during his visit to Andhra Pradesh. The BJP urged the Election Commission to have the matter looked into, appropriate inquiries made and then suitable action taken against him.

In support of its averments, the BJP delegation, comprising of former Union Ministers Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi and BJP Election Cell Convener R Ramakrishnan, submitted a CD, containing video recordings and press clippings. “We would like to bring to your kind notice, for such action as deemed appropriate, incidents of violation of Model Code of Conduct by Jairam Ramesh. Jairam Ramesh, while being a member of the Union Council of Ministers, has been touring the State of Andhra Pradesh extensively, where the Election Commission of India is holding elections simultaneously to the Lok Sabha as well the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh and violating the Model Code of Conduct.”

The BJP drew attention of the Election Commission to the provisions/guidelines contained in the Election Commission of India’s Model Code of Conduct under part VII relating to Party in Power which, inter alia, states “The party in power whether at the Centre or in the State or States concerned, shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purposes of its election campaign and in particular – (i)(a) The Minister shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work.” Sub-clause (vi) states that “From the time elections are announced by the Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not – (a) announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof; or c) make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc.”

The BJP stated that Jairam Ramesh has willfully flouted all these, by combining official work with party propaganda. His retinue included the AICC incharge of SC Cell Koppula Raju and Prasadula Harinath, Rajahmundry City Congress President.

Jairam Ramesh is not the Minister incharge of the project and as such, he is expected not to make comments/remarks, which amount to violate the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the BJP stated. The BJP leaders accused Jairam Ramesh with indulging actively in promoting and propagating the prospects of his party in the ensuing elections.

“Not only on this issue, but he has kept on making promises that Rs 50,000 crore package will be given to the successor State of Andhra Pradesh and that the new capital will be finalized by September and he has made mention of certain locations as the capital city. He has also announced that an investment of Rs.1,50,000 crore would be made for development of Visakhapatnam – Chennai industrial corridor,” it was pointed out.