Election Commission of India has expressed severe displeasure over violation of model code of conduct and disrespect of its provisions by Commerce and Industries Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. Vijayvargiya has been asked to be more careful in future.
In its order, the commission said that announcement for Vidhan Sabha elections in 5 States was made on October 4, 2013. With this, model code of conduct came into force. Collector and district election officer, Indore had brought to notice of the commission violation of model code of conduct and disrespect of its provisions by Vijayvargiya. Besides, the commission has also received its video clipping. In a notice on October 16, 2013, the commission had served Vijayvargiya a show cause by October 18, 2013 as to why action should not be taken against him for violation of model code of conduct. After a reply was sent by Vijayvargiya on October 18, 2013, the report and video clipping of his speech sent by the collector were studied.
The commission has also taken on record the regret expressed by Vijayvargiya and his statement to be more careful in selection of words in future. In his reply, Vijayvargiya had said that giving tips to drummers is a tradition and does not violate model code of conduct. Promise of Vijayvargiya to construct Udyog Bhawan at Indore during his speech Dussehra function at Satya Sai Chowk, Indore is a violation of model code of conduct. During the speech of Vijayvargiya on October 14, 2013 at a function of Rajput community an attempt was made to juxtapose the model code vis-a-vis religious customs and traditions and in this process ridicule the code of conduct. According to the commission, Vijayvargiya must know that free and fair elections are part our democratic tradition and model code of conduct has been enforced to meet this very objective. On the directives of the commission, office of the Chief Electoral Officer has informed Vijayvargiya about the order.