Lalu, Rabri, Uddhav on EC notice board

NEW DELHI: It was raining notices from the Election Commission on Thursday as the panel sought clarifications from RJD chief Lalu Prasad and wife Rabri Devi, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief D Srinivas and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray on alleged violations of the model code of conduct by them. The panel also sought the comments of Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on a BJP complaint against Union home minister P Chidambaram, alleging that the latter had raised poll-related issues during an official visit to border areas in the state.

EC notice to railway minister and RJD president Lalu Prasad seeks a clarification as to why action should not be taken against him for violating the poll code by threatening to run a road roller over BJP candidate Varun Gandhi���s chest during an election speech in Kishanganj, Bihar. Mr Prasad had, EC has prima facie found, violated sub clause 2 of Clause 1 of the model code that requires criticism of political parties to be limited to its policies and programme or past record and work.

Rabri Devi, on the other hand, faces EC notice for criticising political leaders (Nitish Kumar and Rajeev Ranjan Singh ���Lallan���) on aspects of their private lives, based on unverified allegations. Both Mr Prasad and Rabri Devi have been given time until 11 am on April 11 to submit their replies to EC. EC also issued a notice to APCC chief D Srinivas for voicing a ���I-will-sever-hands-of-those-who-point-a-finger-at-minorities��� threat during an election meeting in Nizamabad. He has been asked to revert back to Nirvachan Sadan with his reply by 5 pm on April 11.

Taking forward its investigation of the complaint pending against Mr Chidambaram for offering poll sops during an official visit to Rajasthan, EC on Thursday sought the comments of chief minister Ashok Gehlot on the alleged poll code violation by the Union home minister.

Also taking exception to the ���derogatory remarks��� made by Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a public meeting in Mumbai last month, EC issued a notice to the latter. He is expected to reply to the notice by Friday evening.

It be recalled that an FIR has already been registered by the Mumbai police against Mr Thackeray under Section 504 of the IPC dealing with ���intentional insult���. In yet another development, EC sought a clarification from the J&K administration on the ���announcement��� for raising retirement age from 58 years to 60 years. Even as a reply is expected by 3 pm on April 10, EC has directed the state government to roll back the decision and put its implementation on hold until after the polls.