SHILLONG, DEC 29: The state BJP on Thursday decided to file a complain to the Election Commission against the opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)’s manifesto promise for financial assistance to women in the state.
The AITC had launched one of its key manifesto promises titled the Meghalaya Financial Inclusion for Women Empowerment (or We Card) on December 13.
The scheme seeks to provide Rs 1,000 per month to each women as guaranteed income support.
Till December 26, more than 90,000 women have registered under this scheme.
Addressng media persons, BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said, “We have decided that lodge a complain to the election commission against the AITC’s manifesto promise on ground that…part eight of the model code of conduct (MCC) states that the election manifesto of any political party need to adhere to certain guidelines mandated by the election commission under article 324. First rule 3, 2 of part eight of the MCC stated that the political parties should avoid making those promises which are likely to corrupt practice…any gift/offers/promise or gratification to any person as a motive of or reward and any direction or indirect interference/ attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate with the free exercise of any electoral rights.”
“There is no difference between the scheme and the distribution of money to vulnerable sections of society prior to election by the unscrupulous elements in order to purchase votes except timing. The later happen before election and the former is to take place after election in the event of the favorable outcome for the TMC,” he said.
Mawrie also referred to the recently conducted Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha election where the Samajwadi Party had declared a similar provision of free electricity.
“The SP had promised 300 units of free electricity and was urging citizens to register on the website for availing this benefit if SP came to power in UP. However the election commission took cognisance on this and order an inquiry in to the campaign being conducted by the SP,” he said.
Accordng to him, the SP have to revoke the outreach activities around this promise after being directed to do so by the Election Commission.
Stating that election is yet to be declared in the state, Mawrie said, “The TMC has not yet formally announced its completed manifesto, there is no doubt that this scheme forms a key promise in the TMC manifesto for Meghalaya and should be considered by the election commission.”
“Further in judgment in S. Subramaniam Balaji vs Government of Tamil Nadu and others, the Supreme Court stated that while the election commission usually would not have the authority to act on the matter prior to the declaration of election, an exception can be made in this regard as the purpose of election manifesto is directly associated with the election process. Thus the election commission has the relevant jurisdiction to take a cognizance of this matter,” he asserted.
By Our Reporter
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