NEW DELHI, March 6: The Aam Aadmi Party was today served a notice by the Delhi’s Chief electoral office for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) over yesterday’s violent protest outside BJP headquarters here.
New Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Ameya Abhyankar has asked AAP to explain by 3 PM tomorrow as to why action should not be initiated against it for holding a protest without permission from poll officials and in violation of the MCC, which came to force since yesterday after the poll dates were announced.
“We have issued AAP a show cause notice for organising a procession at Ashoka Road yesterday in front of the BJP office without any permission from the competent authority thereby violating the MCC.
“We have sought an explanation within 24 hours over yesterday’s protest outside BJP head office. There are provisions which can lead to anything from censure to derecongnition of political parties depending on the nature of the MCC violation and their explanation.
“However the action will decided by the Election Commission of India,” said Delhi’s chief electoral officer Vijay Dev.
New Delhi’s DEO had also sought the police report yesterday in this matter which was submitted to the CEO office today.
According to the show cause notice, “Aam Aadmi party and its workers despite the model codel of conduct being in force, organised a procession at Ashoka Road on March 5 in front of the BJP office without any permission from the competent authority thereby violating various provisions of the MCC.”
The DEO in his notice said that the organisers need to intimate the local police authorities about the proposed programme and take necessary permission.
“As per the guidelines of the political parties and candidates, in part III, Sub clause III, the organisers shall be required to give advance intimation to the local police authority of the programme which is proposed to be organised to enable the authorities concerned to make necessary arrangements and also to obtain the necessary permission from the competent authority,” it said.
“Further in part I, sub clause 5, it has also been stressed upon that the right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed home life shall be repsected in organising demonstration or picketing before the houses of individuals by way of protesting.
“But the AAP not only organised the demonstration or processions in violation of the various guidelines of MCC against the BJP headquarters located at 11, Ashoka Road, but also disturbed the right of other individuals residing nearby of a peaceful and undisturned home life on 5.3.14 at 17.10 hours.
Thereby the AAP has violated the guidelines of Election Commission contained in the MCC for the guidance of political parties and candidates.
“Since the above coduct on the part of AAP is contrary to the various provisions of MCC, I, Ameya Abhyankar, DEO, New Delhi called upon the AAP, why the action…Should not be initiated besides booking the expenditure so in incurred by AAP in its account in the organisation of above said demonstration or procession,” the notice said.
Once the Model Code comes into force, all political parties have to seek prior permission from poll authorities before carrying out any activity which is related to polls.
The notice to AAP comes in the wake of a BJP delegation meeting the Chief Election Commissioner and seeking strict action against AAP and its leaders for yesterday’s violent incidents outside the BJP headquarters.
The BJP has also sought de-recognition of AAP for acting in violation of the MCC.
Dev also held a meeting of all political parties at his office today and briefed them about the MCC and also urged them to maintain a conducive atmosphere for holding free and fair 2014 Loksabha elections on April 10.
During a protest by AAP workers outside the BJP headquarters on Ashok Road here, AAP supporters clashed with BJP workers and indulged in stone-pelting injuring many. An FIR has also been lodged against some AAP leaders including Ashutosh and Shazia Ilmi. (PTI)
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