National - Elections 2004   

Govinda violated model code, says BJP

MUMBAI

The BJP today accused Govinda Ahuja, the Congress candidate from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat, of violating the Election Commission's model code of conduct.

In a complaint filed with the Mumbai Suburban district Electoral Officer, the BJP's Mumbai secretary, Atul Bhatkalkar, said that pictures of national personalities such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel on Mr. Govinda Ahuja's campaign vehicle constituted a violation of the model code. Mr. Bhatkalkar also enclosed a photocopy of a picture published in a newspaper.

Later, Mr. Bhatkalkar said that he "hoped the electoral officer will act in the next two days."

The Govinda `rath' also carries a pictorial of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a leading social reformer of the 19th century who has an iconic status on par with that of a saint. Mr. Bhatkalkar, in his complaint also enclosed the Chief Electoral Officer's circular of April 1, 2004 which bars the use of pictures of saints as well.

Mahesh Vijapurkar

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• NDA agenda promises to ban cow slaughter
• 'NDA committed to making India an economic superpower'
• Bofors truth points to Quattrocchi, says Swedish investigator
• Timing suspect: Congress
• Political ads: Centre asked to file reply by April 12
• Vague insinuations, says Jethmalani
• Sonia should break her silence, says Jaitley
• Court directs Hindujas to deposit Rs. 5 cr. each
• SC notice to IIMs on fee cut and autonomy
• 'Enact law for compulsory registration of marriages'
• Plea rejected for postponement of entrance exam
• Snow in Uttaranchal, hail in Shimla
• Legal notice to Sonia, Rahul
• Delhi HC dismisses complaints against M.F. Husain
• HC rejects CBI plea in Madhumita case
• Sayalee Bhagat crowned Miss India-World
• The case against banning exit and opinion polls
• Extra forces needed: poll observer
• And now, the emergence of 'gotra' politics
• Amitabh: I was a failure in politics
• Police counter-action teams to combat naxals
• Q&A: L.K. Advani
• POLL-POURRI
• Govinda violated model code, says BJP
• CANDIDATE WATCH: Karuna Shukla (BJP)
• BEEN HERE, HEARD THAT
• Sushma charged with violating code of conduct
• STUDIED RESPONSE
• Only 20 per cent of polling stations normal in J&K

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu