Jogi accused of violating election code

RAIGARH, JAN. 27. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Mr. Ajit Jogi's reference to a scheme in his Republic Day speech has evoked sharp criticism from the BJP, seeking the Election Commission's (EC) intervention in the matter alleging that `it was violation of the model code of conduct' in view of the Marwahi by-polls on February 19.

Mr. Jogi, who is not a member of the State legislature, has announced candidature from Marwahi and had declared at Pendra, near here, on Jan. 19 that he was contesting the election `for development of the constituency and to fulfil the dreams cherished by late Dr. Bhanvar Singh Porte.'

The State BJP general secretary, Mr. Virendra Pandey, told PTI today that it had requested the EC to take cognisance of Mr. Jogi's reference to `Dr. Porte memorial medical education encouragement scheme' in his R-Day speech, read at all the 16 district headquarters, as `violation of the election code of conduct.'

``Since Porte, a tribal leader and former State Minister, had represented the constituency first as Congress MLA and later as BJP member, the naming of the scheme after Dr. Porte was a clear violation of the election code and intended to woo the voters'', he said.

The Bahujan Samaj party (BSP) has also said the announcement by Mr. Jogi could violate the election code since he is contesting the by-poll.

- PTI

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