Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Election Commission books Kanhaiya Kumar for violating the model code of conduct

Former JNU Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Begusarai in Bihar as a CPI candidate, was booked for violation of model code of conduct on Friday, March 29.

The station head officer of Mansur Chak police station of the district lodged the case under relevant sections of the Representation of People Act.

SHO Arvind Kumar informed, based on the complaint of Mansur Chak Block Development Officer-cum-flying squad magistrate Shatrughan Rajak, Kanhaiya had addressed a public meeting in a village on Thursday without obtaining prior permission for the same from the authorities, as per the FIR.

Engaged in a triangular contest where Union minister Giriraj Singh is in the fray as a BJP candidate while the RJD has fielded Tanveer Hasan, its candidate in the last general elections who had finished the runner-up, Kumar, the former student leader and a stronghold of the CPI, is making his electoral debut.

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Speaking over this, Kumar has in the past stated that he could take the voice of the youth 'against the extremist thinking' and also said that the party will support the Mahagatbandhan.

He said, "I will take the youth voice in Parliament against the extremist thinking as one of Giriraj Singh. As the party's stand, we will support Mahagatbandhan where we are not in the fray."

"People of Begusarai are watching Giriraj, he is the one who is rejecting Begasurai. Why will people accept him? Why are 111 farmers filing nomination against the Prime Minister. This shows the current state, they want to raise their voice and hence they are doing so.", he added further lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi citing agrarian distress.

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Contesting the 2019 elections from Begusarai in Bihar, the filing of nominations will begin on 2 April while polling for the same will be held in the fourth phase of elections on 29 April.

(With inputs from PTI)