The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged two complaints against the Congress party with the State Election Commission, alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct in Himachal Pradesh. The complaints center on the alleged filling of forms to receive Rs 1,500 per month, aimed at influencing voters, according to the BJP.
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur led a BJP delegation in filing these complaints with the Chief Electoral Officer in Shimla. Thakur accused the state government and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of offering benefits under the Rs 1500 honorarium scheme to women, with government agencies allegedly using forms bearing pictures of Sukhu and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a move Thakur deemed a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Thakur further criticized the removal of portraits of Ram temples and Lord Ram from private houses while government advertisements and hoardings remained prominently displayed. The BJP urged the Election Commission to intervene and halt the form filling, citing it as a breach of the Model Code of Conduct.
In response, Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg confirmed receiving the complaints and assured they would be examined. Garg highlighted specific concerns related to the “Indira Gandhi Pyari Mahila Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana” and the presence of government hoardings despite the MCC being in effect. He also mentioned the Election Commission’s action in shifting the Home Secretary as per directives.
Himachal Pradesh, with its four Lok Sabha constituencies of Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, and Shimla, is gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for June 1. The Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16, coinciding with the Election Commission’s announcement of election dates for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
