New Delhi: Taking a serious view of the “violative act” by the Karnataka government, the Election Commission of India (ECI)today sought an explanation from the state government on what led to its violation of the Commission’s model code of conduct (MCC) in poll-bound Telangana. It has asked the Karnataka government to submit its explanation by 5.00 pm tomorrow.
The Commission said it was brought to its notice by the Bharatiya Janata Party today and by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi on November 25, 2023, that the Karnataka government published advertisements of various welfare schemes and achievements in the State of Telangana on November 24-27, 2023, in the Hyderabad edition of several newspapers.
After examining its own records, the ECI found that it had not granted such approval as required under the above-mentioned instruction. Nor was any such application from the State of Kamataka found pending for decision. “The said act of giving advertisements highlighting the welfare schemes and achievements of Government by the Government of Karnataka in newspapers having circulations in poll going Telangana is in gross violation of the Commission’s above directions,” the ECI said.
The Commission also directed the Karnataka government to stop forthwith, further publication of any such advertisements by the Government of Karnataka in the State of Telangana with immediate effect “till necessary approvals are taken by the Government from the Commission as required by the instructions on MCC”.
The Commission also sought an explanation as to why disciplinary action is not directed against the Secretary-in-charge of the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Karnataka Government for the said violations of procedure as required under MCC instructions, as expected under the instruction of the Commission.
– global bihari bureau
