Election Commission show cause notice to Sushil Modi for poll code violation

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission tonight issued a show cause notice to Sushil Modi for allegedly offering freebies to voters in Bihar and said in its opinion the BJP leader has violated the model code in force in the poll-bound state.

An FIR has already been lodged on Monday against the former deputy chief minister of Bihar for allegedly inducing voters by promising colour TVs to 'dalits' and 'mahadalits', laptops to students and money to buy dhoti-saris to the poor.

Sushil Modi had allegedly made these promises on Monday during an address to an election meeting in favour of BJP candidate Anand Bhusan Pandey.

"Whereas the Commission is prima facie of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement you have violated the above said provisions of Model Code of Conduct; Now, therefore, the Commission gives you an opportunity to explain your stand in making the above said statement by 3 pm of October 6, 2015 failing which the ECI shall take a decision without further reference to you," the notice read.

The EC reminded him that giving any gift, offer or any promise to any person with an object of inducing to vote or refrain from voting at an election is an offense of bribery under section 171 (8)1171(E) of IPC and corrupt practice under section 123 (1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

In the notice, Sushil Modi has been referred to by the EC as a 'star campaigner of BJP'.