The Election Commission of India on Wednesday issued a notice to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for violating the Model Code of Conduct after his alleged appeal to the industrial to contribute in party fund.
Badal, on April 12, in an election meeting in Jalandhar had said that crores of rupees are spent on campaigning though less is shown in expenditure details while asking the industrialists and traders present to make contribution to the party fund for election expenses.
The Commission took up the issue following a complaint made against Badal by former MlA and Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira. According to the complaint, Badal said: “Crores are spent on campaigning, though we show less in expenditure details... Give quietly, don’t give openly.”
The notice issued by the Commission said: “The Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement you have violated the model code of conduct and also incited others to violate the law.”
“The notice has been issued by the ECI, and we are expected to receive it by this evening, and then we would forward the same to the Chief Minister right then,” said Punjab Chief Electoral officer VK Singh. The poll panel gave Badal an opportunity to explain his stand before 5 pm on May 2.