BJP accuses Rajasthan CM Gehlot of violating poll code over '7 guarantees' schemes, files complaint

BJP on Wednesday alleged that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has violated poll conduct with his announcement of "seven guarantees" and filed a complaint with Election Commission of India. This came in connection with state assembly election scheduled on November 25 in a single phase.

On October 27, Gehlot announced five guarantees for people of Rajasthan, including a law on Old Pension Scheme, buying cow dung, and providing a laptop or a tablet to government college students, if his government is reelected. Two 'guarantees' were alrey announced by Congress leer Priyanka Gandhi Vra in her public meeting.

Earlier in day, BJP delegation met with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Praveen Gupta and submitted a memorandum, stating that once Model Code of Conduct has come into effect, political parties are not supposed to make such announcements of schemes that can influence common people as it is against rules.

Notably, Model Code of Conduct came into force in Rajasthan on October 9 after Election Commission announced date for assembly elections.

In a statement, BJP alleged that Gehlot's announcement was a violation of Model Code of Conduct and also falls under category of 'Corrupt practices' under section 123 of Representation of People Act, 1951.

party's intellectual cell convenor Rajendra Singh Shekhawat informed that Chief Minister Gehlot recently posted a message on social media about seven guarantees of Congress and asked people to register mselves to avail of benefits of such schemes.

He alleged that luring general public to register for such guarantee schemes was a criminal act and a violation of Model Code of Conduct.

This is against rules and should be stopped immediately, Shekhawat said, ding that action should be taken against Congress and its chief minister.  

counting of votes of 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will take place on December 3, coinciding with or four states: Mhya Presh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. In 2018 assembly elections, Congress won 99 seats while BJP won 73 seats in 200-member house. Ashok Gehlot came to power with support of BSP MLAs and independents.
 

(With PTI Inputs)