Guwahati, 10th April: Congress Member of Parliament and Lok Sabha poll candidate from Nagaon constituency in Assam, Pradyut Bordoloi, has lodged a formal complaint against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The complaint alleges a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) during the ongoing election campaign.
Bordoloi submitted the complaint to the chief election commissioner on Tuesday night, accusing Sarma of offering money to all ration cardholders. He cited a public meeting in Lakhimpur where Sarma purportedly promised to transfer Rs 10,000 to the bank accounts of every ration cardholder after the election.
Describing such promises as “unethical” and a means to influence voters through financial inducements, Bordoloi urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action against the chief minister for his alleged misconduct.
Additionally, Bordoloi filed another complaint with the chief electoral officer, alleging that the BJP was persisting with a controversial socio-economic survey despite receiving a show-cause notice. The survey, according to Bordoloi, is being conducted under the pretext of increasing beneficiaries under the ‘Orunodoi’ cash direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.
Bordoloi highlighted instances of distributing survey forms in Ward No 1 of Matharboi of Barapujia Gaon Panchayat in Morigaon district, expressing concern that similar activities might be occurring elsewhere. He condemned what he deemed a blatant disregard for electoral norms and the misuse of government schemes for electoral gains.
The CEO’s office had previously issued a show-cause notice to the ruling BJP on April 6 in response to an allegation raised by the CPI(M) regarding the violation of MCC. The notice sought a response from the state BJP unit within a specified timeframe.
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