EC notice to Ramdev for politics at yoga meet

NEW DELHI: Baba Ramdev has been issued a showcause notice by the chief electoral officer of Delhi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by giving a political colour to what was meant to be a yoga congregation at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

While the notice only holds Ramdev and the organizers of the event accountable, it does not mention the presence of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at the venue or his address to the public. Prima facie, Modi made no violation and the event's video footage is under scrutiny, said Delhi's chief electoral officer Vijay Dev. The Election Commission issued the notice after scrutinizing the footage of the event.

"Ramdev and organizers of Yoga Mahotsav have been issued a showcause notice for using the platform for political activity without prior permission from the authorities," the electoral officer said on Tuesday.

"The video footage of the event has been examined by the designated officials," Dev said, adding the notice was necessary because the permission was sought for a yoga event. Even though Ramdev made no mention of any particular political party or person, the footage showed the programme having a political hue. "In his speech, Ramdev did speak about the need for change and other things which had nothing to do with the programme. Hence the notice," Dev said.

Asked why no notice was served on Modi, Dev said that no violation by the BJP leader was observed in the footage. "However, the video footage will be studied further to ensure no violation goes unaddressed," he asserted.

During the event, Modi had shared the dias with Ramdev and other spiritual leaders. Extending support to Modi, Ramdev had asked his supporters to help bring a "good leader" with "good intentions" to power.

North district election officer, Mona Sreeniwas, said that organizers had sought permission for holding a 'Yoga Mahotsav' and had not informed the Election Commission that Modi would be attending it.

In his address, Modi had complimented Ramdev for organizing the event in which technology was utilised in a big way. The programme was transmitted to 600 districts simultaneously.