Assam By-polls: CM Sarma Readies To Follow ECI Directions; APCC Demands Banning

APCC demanded that on the basis of the audio-visual evidence Sarma should be immediately barred from further campaigning

Time8 Webdesk
October 26, 2021
4:36 pm

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he would obliged to the directions of Election Commission of India (ECI) in future.

Sarma’s response came after the ECI issued a show cause notice to the chief minister for allegedly violation the model code of conduct during the ongoing election rallies upto the state by election to be held on October 30.

The ECI took congnizance of the violation after Opposition Congress has complained alleging that Sarma while campaigning for the polls, making announcements of financial grants, new announcements of construction of roads, bridges , schools, medical college etc which are against EC guidelines and rules.

Sarma on Tuesday said, “The Opposition parties always complain. But I will follow the direction of ECI.”

Reacting to the development, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesperson Bobbeeta Sarma said that ECI should take note of is that Sarma is the constitutional head of the state and he is supposed to respect EC’s model code of conduct.

Live from Thowra LAC. https://t.co/UmorBJ1K4d
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 26, 2021

“But instead it is seen how brazenly and openly Sarma is violating the rules without consideration for EC rules giving the impression that those in power are not accountable to anybody. This reflects a complete lack of respect for institutions and rules,” the leader said.

She added that APCC contended that since it was evident through the proof of the video clippings that the CM has violated the model code of conduct EC should not wait for a response by giving a showcause.

“On the basis of the audio-visual evidence Sarma should be immediately barred from further campaigning. This will set an honourable example for EC that the model code of conduct rules has been made to be followed and not to be disregarded in utter disdain by those in power,” Sarma added.

Poll campaigns for the five constituencies of Gossaigaon, Bhabanipur, Tamulpur, Mariani and Thowra have been ongoing.