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EC issues notice to Dilip Ghosh, Supriya Shrinate  

The MCC came into force on March 16 with the commission announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission on Wednesday slapped show-cause notices on BJP leader Dilip Ghosh and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate for their offensive remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kangana Ranaut respectively.

Ranaut has been fielded by the BJP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi Lok Sabha seat for the parliamentary elections.

Their remarks were “undignified and in bad taste”, the Election Commission (EC) said.

The poll panel said that prima facie, the two remarks were violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and its advisory to political parties to maintain dignity during electioneering.

The MCC came into force on March 16 with the commission announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections.

The two leaders have been asked to respond to the show-cause notices by March 29 evening. The EC took action against Shrinate following a complaint by the BJP that alleged she had posted a picture of Ranaut along with “derogatory remarks” on social media platform X.

According to the EC notice, she had posted: “Kya bhav chal raha hai Mandi mein, koi batayega?” The notice to West Bengal BJP leader Ghosh was issued after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) approached the commission.

According to the English translation of Ghosh’s remark, as provided by the EC in its notice, he had said: “When Didi goes to Goa, she becomes Goa’s daughter, in Tripura, she says I am Tripura’s daughter, decide who is your father, this is not right”.

The EC said on careful examination, the comment has been found to be offensive, insulting and prima facie, violative of the provisions of the MCC and the commission’s advisory issued earlier this month.

The poll authority reminded the two leaders of the provision of the MCC which states that criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work.

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EC orders halt of fresh sanctions for govt schemes

The former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur led a BJP delegation and filed two complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer in Shimla…reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country, the Election Commission of India issued an order to halt fresh sanctions for governmental schemes in Himachal Pradesh.

The order further stated, “No fresh release of funds on welfare schemes and works should be made or contracts of works awarded in any part of State where the election is in progress without prior permission of the Commission.”

“This includes the work under the Member of Parliament, Local Area Development Fund, or MLA/MLCs, if any such scheme is in operation in the State,” the order mentioned.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party filed two complaints against Congress with the State Election Commission for violating the Model Code of Conduct and alleged that forms under Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana to get Rs 1,500 per month are being filled in the offices of the block development office and panchayats to woo the voters by the Congress.

The former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur led a BJP delegation and filed two complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer in Shimla.

Jai Ram Thakur has accused the state government and the Chief Minister of providing the benefits of Rs 1500 honorarium to women.

He said that the various government agencies are using and filling out the forms for the schemes, which bear pictures of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Jai Ram Thakur said that we have also registered another complaint that the hoardings and pictures of the government advertisement are still placed in several places in the state; on the contrary, the posters of the Ram Temple and portraits of Lord Ram are being removed.

He further said that the party has requested the Election Commission to stop this filling of forms as it is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. (ANI)

Poll panel issues notification for first phase of LS polls

The nomination process for 102 parliamentary constituencies spread across 21 states and Union territories, where polling would be held in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19, began on Wednesday with the issuance of a notification.

According to the notification issued by the Election Commission on behalf of the President, the last date for filing nomination papers is March 27.

However, due to a festival, March 28 is the last date for filing nominations for the Lok Sabha seats in Bihar going to polls in the first phase. Voting in four out of 40 seats in Bihar will be held in the first phase.

Nomination papers will be scrutinised on March 28. For Bihar, it would be done on March 30. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 20 while for Bihar, it is April 2.

The elections for the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on April 19 followed by subsequent phases on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes is on June 4.

The states where polling would be held in the first phase are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

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Parties give intriguing replies to EC on poll bonds

The Kannada Naadu Party, which has since passed a resolution for dissolution, submitted a letter to the Election Commission requesting its de-recognition…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission’s request to parties for details of electoral bonds received by them elicited myriad, and often unsolicited, responses — one party seeking its deregistration and another noting that its chief personally donates Rs 500 once every three months to the party fund.

In their responses to the Election Commission, some parties gave explanations for not receiving any donation through electoral bonds while others cited their inability to provide the requested information.

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party cited its status as a new party and claimed it had not garnered any votes in elections and hence had no details to provide. Similarly, the Sarvjan Lok Shakti party submitted a handwritten note stating that it had not received any donation as yet.

The Bharat Ka Kisan Mazdoor Party expressed frustration, lamenting their lack of recognition and claiming no support from industrialists or capitalists, resulting in the party not receiving any funds through electoral bonds.

The Tamil Nadu-based Tamilar Desiya Munnani cited health issues of its leadership for its inability to respond to the Election Commission notice within the given time frame. It also mentioned that it had not received any donation through electoral bonds until September 30, 2023.

The Makkal Nala Kazhagam noted that its president personally deposits money into the party account every three months.

“Party president S Sathiyamoorthy is depositing his own money Rs 500 once in three months in party account in the concerned bank,” it said.

The Kannada Naadu Party, which has since passed a resolution for dissolution, submitted a letter to the Election Commission requesting its de-recognition.

“…resolutions passed at the respective meetings had been forwarded to your good offices and we are awaiting your confirmation of de-recognition as a political party,” it said in the response.

Parties such as the Jan Shakti Dal, Neethi Nijayathi Party and the Gunj Satya Ni Janta Party claimed to have received no donations.

Many parties, including the Aasra Lokmanch Party, Bharatiya Sarthak Party and the National Bhrashtachar Mukti Party, stated that they had not received any donations and mentioned that they did not fall in the category eligible to receive electoral bonds.

The Bahujan Rajyam Party clarified that it had not received any electoral bonds, highlighting the eligibility criteria that limit bond issuance to parties securing at least one per cent of the votes polled in previous elections.

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Assam govt tells EC to hold polls before Bihu

For the Lok Sabha polls and four state Legislative assemblies, all phases and geographical areas of the elections shall be the basis for determining “repeat” offences…reports Asian Lite News

An Election Commission (EC) team reached Assam on a two-day visit on Tuesday. The team consisting of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and other top officials will hold Lok Sabha poll-related meetings with the concerned state government officials during the course of its visit.

The EC team will meet the Chief Secretary of the state and other government officials to discuss the preparedness of the state for holding the upcoming general elections. The team will also interact with the District Commissioners and Superintendent of Police of each district during its two-day visit.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has insisted on holding the polls in the state before the Bihu festival, which is scheduled to take place in mid-April.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said earlier, “The state government has already urged the EC to conclude the elections in the state before the Bihu festival. During the Bihu celebrations in Assam, people get into a festive mood. The talks of BJP-Congress cannot match that atmosphere.

“The Chief Secretary will again convey our request to the EC team. If there is no such difficulty, we will appreciate finishing the elections before the Bihu festival.”

However, according to an official, it is unlikely that the Lok Sabha polls in Assam will be over before mid-April.

“In 2019, elections in Assam were held in three phases — April 11, April 18, and April 23. The chances are high that the EC might go with a similar schedule this time too,” the official said.

Meanwhile, taking note of the various trends and cases of plummeting levels of political campaign discourse in recently held elections, ECI has issued further advisory to all political parties to maintain decorum and utmost restraint in public campaigning and raise the level of election campaigning to “issue”-based debate.

The poll body has also put the ‘Star Campaigners’ and candidates on a ‘notice’ in case of violations that followed the previously known methodologies during elections to avoid breaching the Model Code of Conduct.

For the Lok Sabha polls and four state Legislative assemblies, all phases and geographical areas of the elections shall be the basis for determining “repeat” offences.

It may be recalled that Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar recently emphasised that political parties should foster ethical and respectful political discourse that inspires rather than divides and promotes ideas instead of personal attacks.

The Commission has urged all the political parties, their leaders, and the contesting candidates to remain within the confines of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the legal framework.

It has been emphasised that any genre of surrogate or indirect violation of MCC and surrogate means to plumage level of the election campaign will be dealt with stern action by the Commission.

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EC announces elections for 56 RS seats in 15 states

The ECI conveyed the information in a Press Note with the subject “Biennial Elections to the Council of States to fill the seats of members retiring in April 2024.”…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced elections for 56 Rajya Sabha seats in 15 States, the polls for which will be held on February 27.

The ECI conveyed the information in a Press Note with the subject “Biennial Elections to the Council of States to fill the seats of members retiring in April 2024.”

As per the offical note, the term of office of 56 members of the Council of States elected from 15 states is due to expire on their retirement in April 2024.

The highest number of members, i.e. 10, will be retiring from the state of Uttar Pradesh on April 2, 2024, said the press note.

Both Maharashtra and Bihar have 6 members retiring on April 2, 2024. Meanwhile, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh will each have 5 members retiring on the same date.

Both Karnataka and Gujarat will witness the retirement of 4 members on April 2, 2024.

According to the press note, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Rajasthan, each have three members retiring. While members from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are retiring on April 2, 2024, the members from Odisha and Rajasthan are retiring on April 3, 2024.

Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will each witness the retirement of one member on April 2, 2024.

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Maharashtra’s splintered political spectrum

The upcoming biennial elections for 6 Rajya Sabha Seats are being held at a time when the state’s political spectrum is sharply divided into different entities, comprising the ruling MahaYuti belonging to the NDA and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of the INDIA bloc.

The MahaYuti consists of the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party-Nationalist Congress Party (AP), while the MVA is made of Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (SP)-Shiv Sena (UBT) — with their respective strengths in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, which will be the electoral college for the RS polls.

The retiring RS members are BJP’s Narayan Rane, Prakash Javadekar and V. Muraleedharan, Congress’ Kumar Ketkar, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Anil Desai and NCP (SP)’s Vandana Chavan.

They were all elected in the March-April 2018 elections when the political combinations were different — the BJP was with the undivided Shiv Sena then, and the Congress was with the undivided NCP.

Today, the BJP and the Congress are allied with one faction each of the split Shiv Sena and NCP but the ruling MahaYuti has a combined strength of over 200 MLAs in its fold.

This time, both sides are playing cautiously as the legislative combination in the 288-member house has drastically changed in the past four years, plus the need to keep all allies in good humour ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Presently on the ruling side, the BJP has 105 members, Shiv Sena 40, NCP (AP) around 35-40 and on the Opposition side Congress 45, NCP (SP) around 13-18, and Shiv Sena (UBT) has 16.

The other smaller parties are: Bahujan Vikas Aghadi has 3 MLAs, Samajwadi Party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Prahar Janshakti Party have 2 each, and one each are from Communist Party of India (M), Peasants & Workers Party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Swabhimani Party, Rashtriya Samaj Party, Jan Surajya Party and Krantikari Shetkari Party, plus 13 Independent legislators, with several supporting the government.

With the highly emaciated Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), the Congress has been catapulted to a critical political position, though the BJP is unlikely to allow the elections without a tough contest and bagging the highest number of seats.

After the Election Commission declared the poll schedules on Monday, hectic lobbying has begun by hopefuls in all the parties for the coveted tickets to the Upper House of Parliament in what will be the last (indirect) election before the Lok Sabha elections this year.

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EC notice to Rahul over remarks against PM

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that it’s not a big deal and that the party will reply to the notice…reports Asian Lite News

The Congress party on Thursday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party after their senior leader, Rahul Gandhi, received a show cause notice from the Election Commission of India over his remarks targeted at Prime Minister Modi in a public rally.

The notice came after the BJP on Wednesday wrote a complaint to the poll body about Rahul Gandhi using derogatory remarks about PM Modi in his rallies.

The ECI asked Rahul Gandhi to explain why the action be not taken against him in the matter till November 25.

“Accordingly, you are requested to provide your explanation, on the allegation made and to show causes as to why action as deemed fit for alleged violation of MCC and relevant penal provisions is not initiated by the Commission. Your reply, if any, be reached by 18.00 hrs. of November 25, 2023. If no reply is received by then action deemed fit will be taken by the Commission,” the letter stated.

Responding to it, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that it’s not a big deal and that the party will reply to the notice.

“Let them send (notice to Rahul Gandhi) we will answer it. It is not a big deal. There has not been any such severe commentary on anyone. But since the elections are going on, hype is being created. We will reply to the notice… The way they are trying to scare in the elections today is not right. If they want to save the democracy, then they should give a level playground. Instead, ED, CBI, etc are being used,” Kharge said.

Later, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, while campaigning for Congress in Rajasthan on the last day of campaigning, said that the words used by his party leader were trending on social media platforms and asked whether the ECI would serve notices to the general public.

“It was also said by all the people…Will they send a notice to everyone, as it is trending on social media? Rahul Gandhi said the people were already fighting,” Baghel said.

Moreover, opposition leader Supriya Sule said, “Rahul Gandhi is a strong & honest leader. I am confident that he will give a dignified and honest answer. He is a fighter. He can afford to be fearless because he is honest.”

Earlier in their letter to the EC, the BJP wrote, “Comparing a prime minister to a ‘Jaibkatra’ (pickpocket) and ‘Pannauti’ is most unbecoming of a senior leader and is a symptom of plummeting levels of political discourse.”

“Calling any person for that instance a Jaibkatra not only amounts to vicious abuse and personal attack but also a character assassination of that person against whom such remark has been made with a clear intent to harm his reputation and mislead the public,” the BJP letter added.

Earlier Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in Barmer claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence in the Narendra Modi stadium was the reason behind India’s World Cup final loss.

“Our guys were playing well, they would have won the world cup. But ‘Panauti’ made us lose. The TV guys won’t tell you this but people know,” Rahul said while campaigning at Rajasthan’s Barmer on Monday. (ANI)

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EC orders transfers of senior officials in five poll-bound states

Special Secretary, Food Civil and Supplies Department, Chhattisgarh has also been removed from the present post, the sources said…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission on Wednesday ordered the transfer of nine District Magistrates, 25 senior police officials including Commissioners of Police, SPs, additional SPs and four Secretaries and Special Secretaries across five poll-bound states due to “unsatisfactory performance”, sources said.

The poll panel’s action came two days after the election schedule was announced in five states – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram and Rajasthan.

The sources said the poll panel has given directions for immediate handover of charge of officers transferred to immediate juniors and directed respective states to send the panel by 5 pm on October 12.

They said there would be zero-tolerance for any kind of “partisan behaviour” by officials.

“The Commission during the review meetings found that the performance of some officers was unsatisfactory and were found complacent, if not complicit. The Commission has ordered the transfer of nine DEOs or DMs and 25 Commissioner of Police, SPs, Additional SPs in these five polls going states,” a source said.

Those whose transfer has been ordered include three Commissioners of Police in Telangana – Warangal, Hyderabad and Nizamabad.

The sources said the Election Commission ordered transfer of non-cadre SPs in Telangana and Secretary Transport, Director Prohibition and Excise and Commissioner of Commercial Tax have been transferred from their present posts.

They said SPs of Hanumangarh, Churu, Bhiwadi have been transferred in Rajasthan

Special Secretary, Food Civil and Supplies Department, Chhattisgarh has also been removed from the present post, the sources said.

They said the poll panel, during the exhaustive reviews in the five poll going states, had clearly directed all the enforcement agencies and district administration for an increased vigil and no tolerance towards the distribution of inducements during the electoral process.

CEC Rajiv Kumar had said during the press interactions that the Commission has called for steps against the movement and distribution of liquor, cash, drugs and freebies.

“These four are our top priority for free fair and inducement-free elections,” Rajiv Kumar had said during the press conferences held in these states.

Intense review of sensitive routes and zones for the transport of these illicit items was done by the Commission and enforcement agencies were directed to function in a coordinated manner with joint operations.

The Commission gave clear directions for strict vigil on inter-state border check posts to dry up the inflow of cash, liquor, freebies and drugs and keep strict vigil over 940 border check posts in these five states.

Those ordered to be transferred include DMs, who also function as District

Election Officers in RangaReddy, Medchal Malkajgiri, Yadadri Bhuvangiri and Nirmal in Telangana; DEOs of Ratlam and Khargone in Madhya Pradesh and DEO of Alwar in Rajasthan.

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EC sounds poll bugle in five states

16.14 crore voters will decide the fate of governments in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission on Monday announced the schedule for assembly polls in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.

Elections will be held in Mizoram on November 7, Chhattisgarh on November 7 and November 17, Madhya Pradesh on November 17, Rajasthan on November 23 and Telangana on November 30.

The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the states.

The announcement of poll dates was made by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.

The elections to five states are crucial as they are being held months before the Lok Sabha elections in April-May next year. Congress and BJP are the key players in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Telangana is expected to witness a triangular contest between the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Congress and BJP.

The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in five states – Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana – which will go to the polls next month. Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases. The counting of votes in all states will take place on December 3.

For the 40 assembly seats in Mizoram and for the first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh (20 seats) on November 7, the notification will be issued on October 13, the last date of filing nominations is October 20, the date for scrutiny of nominations is October 21 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is October 23.

Polling for all 230 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh and the second phase of elections in Chhattisgarh (70 seats) will be held on November 17. The last date of filing nominations is October 30, the date of scrutiny of nominations is October 31 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is November 2.

In Rajasthan, which will see a single-phase poll on November 23 on all 200 assembly seats, the last date of filing nominations is November 6, scrutiny of nominations will be held on November 7 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is November 9.

In Telangana which will go to the polls on November 30, the last date for filing nominations is November 10, the date for scrutiny of nominations is November 13 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 15.

The polls in five states are crucial for political parties as they will be held months before the Lok Sabha polls next year.

The total number of voters in Mizoram is 8.52 lakh. In Chhattisgarh, it is 2.03 crore, in Madhya Pradesh 5.6 crore, in Rajasthan 5.25 crore and 3.17 crore in Telangana.

Congress and BJP are the key players in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Telangana is expected to witness a triangular contest between the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Congress and BJP.

The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the guidance of political parties and candidates is a set of norms evolved with a consensus. Political parties have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the code which binds them to respect and observe it in letter and spirit.

60.2 lakh first-time voters

According to the Election Commission, there are 16.14 crore voters in these five states. Mizoram has 8.52 lakh, Chhattisgarh 2.03 crore, Madhya Pradesh 5.6 crore, Rajasthan 16.14 crores, Telangana 3.17 crores.

The Election Commission informed that there are 8.2 crore male voters while 7.8 crore voters are females.

“Out of the 8.52 lakh voters in Mizoram, 4.13 lakh voters are male and 4.39 lakh are female. In Chattisgarh, there are 1.01 crore male voters while 1.02 crore are female. Madhya Pradesh has 2.88 crore male voters and 2.72 crore female voters. For Rajasthan, there are 2.73 crore male voters and 2.52 crore female voters. In Telangana, there are 1.58 crore male voters and 1.58 crore female voters,” according to the data released by EC.

Of the 60.2 lakh first-time voters in five states, 50,611 are first-time voters in Mizoram with 7.23 lakh in Chattisgarh, 22.36 lakh in Madhya Pradesh, 22.04 lakh in Rajasthan 8.11 lakh in Telangana.

There are 17.34 lakh Persons with a disability (PWD) voters in 5 states. EC informed that 100 per cent enrollment has been achieved in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in four states of Chattisgarh Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan and Telangana

EC also said that there is an improved Electoral Roll Gender Ratio in all five states in comparison to the previous assembly elections in 2018.

According to the polling body, a total of 1.77 lakh polling stations will be set up out of which 1.01 lakhs will have the webcasting facility. “Also 17,734 model polling stations will be set up,” the release said.

EC further mentioned that a polling station has been set up at the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border which will save 8 Km of travel for villagers. Similarly a polling booth has been set up in Mamjohli, Barmer specifically for 49 voters in the area.

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EC to decide which faction is real Shiv Sena

Senior advocates Maninder Singh, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, and Mahesh Jethmalani, assisted by advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh, argued for the Shinde faction…reports Asian Lite News

In a big setback to Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to stop the Election Commission from deciding the claim of Eknath Shinde group to be the real Shiv Sena.

After a day-long hearing, a constitution bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud dismissed the interlocutory application filed on behalf of Thackeray’s faction. The apex court’s decision is very significant in view of the impending Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, where both Shinde and Thackeray factions would like to contest the poll.

The bench — also comprising Justices M.R. Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli, and P.S. Narasimha — said there would not be any stay on the proceedings before the Election Commission on intra party dispute and ‘bow and arrow’ symbol of the party. “We direct that there would be no stay of the proceedings before the Election Commission of India,” it said.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, A.M. Singhvi and Devadatt Kamat represented the Thackeray’s faction. Sibal submitted that Shinde cannot approach the EC once he has incurred disqualification, saying “I challenged the very locus of the person who moved the EC”.

Sibal clarified that Shinde has incurred disqualification as his various acts amounted to “voluntarily giving up membership of the party” under the Tenth Schedule, and he also violated the party whip, which is also covered by the Tenth Schedule.

The Thackeray camp vociferously argued that since disqualification of Shinde and the MLAs supporting him was pending, therefore EC cannot consider their application over the party and the symbol. However, the top court declined to entertain this contention.

Senior advocates Maninder Singh, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, and Mahesh Jethmalani, assisted by advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh, argued for the Shinde faction.

Senior advocate Arvind Datar represented the Election Commission.

Shinde’s faction counsel argued that under Article 324 of the Constitution, the EC possesses plenty of powers to deal with any situation which arises in relation to political parties and several party members have sent their representations to the EC supporting the Shinde group.

Kaul submitted that the nature of enquiry under Tenth Schedule and the Symbols Order are different.

Shinde’s faction counsel claimed a hopeless minority sought to remove him from the party, and contended that the Speaker, under the Tenth Schedule, has to exercise power to determine disqualification of a member and he cannot decide on the split or merger within a political party. Shinde faction counsel vehemently argued that a party member’s right to move the EC cannot be taken away.

The EC counsel argued that it worked independently, and its functions are different when compared with the Speaker. The counsel added that it can decide who held the majority in the party.

Shinde and his faction had rebelled against Thackeray, which forced him to resign as Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Shiv Sena’s General Secretary Subhash Desai had moved the apex court saying that Shinde and other MLAs, have purportedly initiated proceedings under para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 (Symbols Order) seeking to be recognised as the “real Shiv Sena” by the EC. Desai added that they are also claiming the right to use the election symbol of “bow and arrow” allotted to Shiv Sena.

Thackeray faction claimed that since the disqualification matter is pending in the apex court, Shinde faction are trying to illegally cobble up numbers and fabricate an artificial majority in the organisation.

The apex court, on July 11, asked the newly appointed Maharashtra Assembly Speaker not to go ahead with proceedings on the disqualification petitions.

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Election Commission must take a look at manifestos

Political parties know they always have the option to blame the Central government, if it refuses grants…reports Asian Lite News

Assembly elections are not natural calamities or disasters that require central assistance to meet the extravagant promises made by certain political parties in their manifestos just to lure voters and win these polls. It has become a trend for certain parties to make promises of free electricity, free water, free education, free travel, free cycles, free laptops, free scooties, cash credits etc in their manifestos for winning Assembly elections and once they win, then plead for funds from the Central government.

If this is not bribing voters, then what is it? Under which act are such manifestos are covered or is it that the lawmakers are above the law? Such political parties are very well aware of the financial condition of the state concerned but still they go ahead with their alluring promises – for they know they always have the option to blame the Central government for the fiasco, if it refuses grants.

Promises by such political parties in their manifestos are nothing but propaganda. With MPs and MLAs being unable to spend even their development fund in 5 years, expecting them to execute another ambitious plan only showcases our ignorance and raises questions on our own understanding and purpose of elections.

Have we failed as a voter? Voting is our right, but who we vote for is meaningful too.

The voters who are already under financial stress, due to rising prices of essential commodities, or those who care nothing about who comes to power but only that their interests are met, go all out to vote for such parties. And political parties knowing such weaknesses of voters, are all out to capitalise on these factors.

There is still some hope if the Central and State government belong to the same party – the manifestos then, at least, make some sense. But if not, why the Central government would want to fund such commitments of opposition parties, knowing that these were responsible for their own party’s defeat in the Assembly elections?

Recently, the AAP won the elections in Punjab on the very same basis, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also AAP national convener, and his star campaigners, promising a number of freebies to the voters of the state. The truth is that the already debt-ridden Punjab has no money to fulfil AAP election promises.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann himself announced the AAP plan to fund promises made in the manifesto, before the elections. And now, post elections, he is asking Central government to help by providing financial grant to the extent of Rs 50,000 crore.

Some political parties have redefined the meaning of hypocrisy.

The game of freebies by political parties seems to be seeing no end. Sensing the situation, the Supreme Court had to intervene and had issued notice to the Election Commission over political parties wooing voters with the promise of freebies ahead of the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, and Punjab Assembly elections.

It had observed that the promise of freebies was a “serious issue”.

The day is not far when Election Commission would start dissecting the manifestos of all political parties and might embargo parties towards asking grants for at least 3-4 years from Central government to fund their promised freebies. Of course, natural calamities or disasters exempted.

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