Assam Pradesh Congress Committee welcomes ECI's warning to Chief Minister

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday welcomed the warning issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for contravention of the ECI's advisory or instruction concerning the Model Code of Conduct, which has been in force for the bye- elections to five Assembly constituencies in Assam.

The APCC said in a press statement, "Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has disregarded the ECI's model code of conduct by making announcements of new schemes and allotment of financial assistance to self- help groups (SHGs) while campaigning for the bye-election as the star campaigner for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Although Sarma, in a submission to the ECI, sought unconditional apology from the Commission for any inadvertent commission/ omission of the model code of conduct, the ECI considered all reports, documents and materials regarding the matter and issued a warning to the Chief Minister, cautioning him to be more careful, to exercise restraint in future and follow the code of conduct while making public speeches."

Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhavan in the city, Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi said, "By violating the election code of conduct, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has shamed the people of Assam before the whole world. At the same time, he has utterly betrayed the people in the constituencies of Bhawanipur, Mariani and Thowra, while making a mockery of the emotions of the State's people. He also attempted to clear the election hurdle by tempting the people with announcements of new schemes, thus breaking the election code of conduct."

Gogoi added that Chief Minister Sarma had insulted the State's constitutional seat of power and he should apologize to the people of Assam.

Also Read: Election Commission warns Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

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