Dehradun: Uttarakhand Congress state president Karan Mahara has complained to the Election Commission accusing Governor Gurmeet Singh, BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt and BJP state in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam of violating the Model Code of Conduct. Congress has demanded action from the Election Commission.
On behalf of Karan Mahara, Congress state vice-president Mathura Dutt Joshi has submitted a memorandum to Uttarakhand Chief Election Commissioner BVRC Purushottam. In the memorandum, the Congress said, ‘Our Constitution gives the Governor the role of a constitutional watchdog and being the holder of an independent constitutional post, it expects him to discharge his duties impartially as an important link between the Union and the State. On one hand, the Governor of any state acts as an agent of the Central Government, on the other hand, the ultimate responsibility of protecting the interests and welfare of the state also rests on his shoulders.’ He further said that, ‘At present, by-election is to be held in Kedarnath assembly constituency of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand and the model election code of conduct is in force in the assembly constituency. In such a situation, on 28 October, Governor Gurmeet Singh made a one-day visit to Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham. He met the pilgrimage priests during his visit to Kedarnath Dham. Talks were also held with local officials. During the talks with the officials, the Governor discussed the development work done by the state government and praised the government, which is a clear violation of the model code of conduct.’
Political uproar over the Governor’s visit to Kedarnath
The Congress said that the Congress party strongly objects to the violation of the model code of conduct by the Governor, who holds a constitutional post, during the by-election. The way the Governor visited Kedarnath Dham and reviewed the work of the administration by consulting and discussing government work with officials and employees, is a violation of the decorum of the model election code of conduct. By behaving like this, the Governor has crossed the limits and boundaries of the Constitution. The Congress Party also believes that being the guardian of the Constitution, he should not have participated in such programs and events in view of the Model Code of Conduct.
Accusations against Mahendra Bhatt and Dushyant Gautam
Mahara also said in another memorandum that on October 28, BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt and BJP state in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam visited Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham for a day. During which they met the pilgrimage priests during the darshan at Kedarnath Dham. Where, while discussing the development work done by the state government in the temple premises with the local pilgrimage priests, the pilgrimage priests were appealed to vote in favor of the BJP candidate, which is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The Election Commission will examine the complaint
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Kumar Jogdande said that during the meeting held with the political parties, the delegation of the Congress Party has submitted a memorandum. In which a complaint has been made regarding the recent visit of the Governor. Therefore, the complaint made by the Congress will be examined and after that a decision will be taken.
