Madhya Pradesh polls: EC reprimands BJP MLA for code violation

New Delhi: Holding him guilty of violating the Model Code of Conduct by announcing a grant of Rs 1 lakh to a Jain temple, the Election Commission has reprimanded Vishwas Sarang, BJP MLA from Narela in Madhya Pradesh. “The Commission is thus satisfied that you have violated the provisions of sub para (4) of para 1 of the Model code of conduct. The Commission hereby reprimands you for violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and cautions you to be careful in future,” an EC order said.[caption id=“attachment_1253945” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Poll time. AFP[/caption] EC had issued a notice to the MLA on 12 November for allegedly giving Rs 1 lakh to a Jain Mandir on 27 October, in violation of the Model Code, and asked him to explain by 15 November as to why action should not be initiated against him. The Commission said it carefully considered his reply and also viewed the video clippings of his speech and was not convinced by the explanation given by him. EC said it “is not convinced that you were just passing through the temple and went inside the temple, as a person making a chance visit would not carry a packet of Rs 1 lakh in his pocket particularly when the Commission’s instructions lay down, that any amount exceeding Rs 50,000 found on the person of a political functionary is liable to be seized”. Stating that as per the Model Code all parties shall avoid activities which are ‘corrupt practices’ and offences under the election law, the EC notice had asked the MLA to explain by 15 November as to why action should not be taken against him. PTI