Ruling alliance leaders ‘ignore’ model code of conduct

Ruling alliance leaders ‘ignore’ model code of conduct
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 16
In an alleged violation of model code of conduct, Sikander Singh Maluka, chairman of the district planning committee, today held a meeting at his office inside the Mini-Secretariat.

An earthen oven placed in front of the district planning committee office at the Mini-Secretariat in Bathinda on Monday. — Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

The meeting was a 'formal' inauguration of the office, where a number of SAD-BJP leaders felicitated Maluka by offering garlands and bouquets. In return, Maluka offered lunch and sweets to the visitors.
The event was celebrated like a family function as a number of stalls and an earthen oven were put up in the middle of the Mini-Secretariat.
When Maluka was asked about the event and the alleged violation of the model code of conduct, he parried the query saying, "Please ignore such a minor issue."
When district election officer Rahul Tewari was apprised of the matter, he said, "If all this had been done, it would be a violation of the code. After getting all details, the matter would be reported to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and even Maluka would be served with a show cause notice."
Apart from this, a number of vehicles of persons having patronage of the ruling party could be seen moving freely with 'unauthorised' red beacons. Today, an Innova (PB 40 0004) with red beacon atop was seen entering the circuit house.
When the persons boarding the vehicle were asked about the violation of the code of conduct, they expressed their ignorance about any order in this regard.
Recently, a female member of the Badal family had held a political meeting in a gurdwara of this district. But instead of taking action against the violator, the authorities hushed up the matter.