12-09-2007, 10:29 PM
<b>Sonia`s speech prima facie violated model code: EC </b> <!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->New Delhi, Dec 09: Holding her "merchants of fear and death" remarks about Gujarat government prima facie violative of the model code of conduct, the Election Commission on Sunday issued notice to Congress president Sonia Gandhi asking her to give a reply by Tuesday, following pressure from BJP that she be asked to give an explanation.
The commission deferred its decision on the response given By Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on Sohrabuddin encounter killing.
The poll watchdog also held Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and BJP leader V K Malhotra prima facie guilty of breaching the code of conduct and asked them to send their response by Tuesday.
While Singh had reportedly spoken about Hindu terrorists in Gujarat BJP leader V K Malhotra for his accusations against Gandhi for having "hatred for Hindus".
Referring to Gandhi`s remarks at an election meeting in Navsari in Gujarat, the EC said, "the commission has viewed the video recording of the said speech. The commission, prima facie, is of the view that the statement made in the speech viz, those running the Gujarat government are liars, betrayers and merchants of fear and death, amounts to violation of provisions of model code of conduct". <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The commission deferred its decision on the response given By Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on Sohrabuddin encounter killing.
The poll watchdog also held Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and BJP leader V K Malhotra prima facie guilty of breaching the code of conduct and asked them to send their response by Tuesday.
While Singh had reportedly spoken about Hindu terrorists in Gujarat BJP leader V K Malhotra for his accusations against Gandhi for having "hatred for Hindus".
Referring to Gandhi`s remarks at an election meeting in Navsari in Gujarat, the EC said, "the commission has viewed the video recording of the said speech. The commission, prima facie, is of the view that the statement made in the speech viz, those running the Gujarat government are liars, betrayers and merchants of fear and death, amounts to violation of provisions of model code of conduct". <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->