The Election Commission has issued notices to RJD President Lalu Prasad and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi in connection with the FIRs registered against them for violation of the poll code
New Delhi: The Election Commission today slapped a show cause notice on RJD chief Lalu Prasad, saying prima facie he had violated the model code of conduct by allegedly making casteist remarks in the run up to Bihar assembly polls.
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The Election Commission also issued a notice to senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi in connection with an FIR registered against them for violation of the poll code.
The two leaders have been asked in the notices to submit their reply by October 6, Additional Chief Election Officer R Lakshamanan told PTI.
"...the Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statements, you have violated the...
provisions of Model Code of Conduct...the Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your stand in making the above said statements on or before 3 pm of October 6, 2015, failing which the ECI shall take a decision without further reference to you," the notice said.
Lalu Prasad Yadav. File Pic
An FIR was lodged against RJD President Lalu Prasad last Tuesday for making allegedly casteist remark, which the Election Commission found to be violative of election laws. The FIR was registered with the Ganga bridge police station in Vaishali district against Lalu Prasad by Circle Officer Raghopur Neeranjan Kumar in connection with his casteist remark.
Launching his campaign from Raghopur, the RJD supremo had described the assembly elections as a direct fight between "the backward castes and forward castes" and gave a call to Yadavs and other backward castes to rally behind the secular alliance to defeat BJP-led NDA.
While issuing the notice, the EC reminded him that "promoting feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of citizens on the ground of religion, race, caste, community or language" is an electoral offence under section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and also an offence under section 153A and section 505(2) of the IPC.
The notice is based on a report submitted to the EC by Bihar Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Naik.
Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi was also booked the same day for allegedly 'promising' to give away laptops, colour TVs and dhoti-saris to voters at an election rally, with the party leader contesting the FIR and urged the EC to look into the matter.
The FIR was lodged against Sushil Modi with Bhabua police station for allegedly inducing voters by promising colour TVs, laptops and dhoti-saris.
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