Memorandum to the Election Commission of India
Bharatiya Janata Party
Dated: March 14, 2014
Subject : Violation of Model Code of Conduct – Complaint against the Union Minister for Rural Development, Shri Jairam Ramesh – Reg.
We would like to bring to your kind notice, for such action as deemed appropriate, incidents of violation of Model Code of Conduct by Shri Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Rural Development.
Shri Jairam Ramesh, while being a Member of the Union Council of Ministers, has been touring the State of Andhra Pradesh extensively, where the Election Commission of India is holding elections simultaneously to the Lok Sabha as well the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh, and violating the model code of conduct.
On 12th March, 2014, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Rural Development along with another officer bearer of the AICC SC Cell, accompanied by leaders/workers of the political party he belongs to visited the Polavaram Project, a multi-purpose project in coastal Andhra Pradesh. He held detailed discussions with the engineers on site and sought to know about the chances of reducing the height of the project to minimize the submergence. He reportedly explained to the people in detail about how the Central Government declared it as a Central Project and how the government could take up relief and rehabilitation package for submergence areas.
Shri Jairam Ramesh, it is reported, promised that the project would be completed within 4 – 5 years. He also reportedly promised the manner and the ratio in which the water from this project would be allocated to the successor states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Shri Jairam Ramesh also spoke to the Media at the spot detailing about what the Government would do or intend to do. It may also be pertinent to bring to your notice that the Minister concerned has, for quite some time, been traveling extensively in both the successor states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to propagate and further his party’s political interests in both the regions.
We would like to draw attention to the provisions/guidelines contained in the Election Commission of India’s Model Code of Conduct under part VII relating to Party in Power which, inter alia, states “The party in power whether at the Centre or in the State or States concerned, shall ensure that no cause is given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purposes of its election campaign and in particular – (i)(a) The Minister shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work………”. Sub-clause (vi) states that “From the time elections are announced by the Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not – (a) announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof; or ………………………..(c) make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc……..”. Shri Jairam Ramesh has wilfully flouted all these, by combining official work with party propaganda. His retinue included the AICC in charge of SC Cell, Mr. Koppula Raju and Prasadula Harinath, Rajahmundry City Congress President.
Shri Jairam Ramesh, not being the Minister In-charge of the Project, is expected to be not making comments/remarks which amount to violate the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct. He is seen indulging actively in promoting and propagating the prospects of his party in the ensuing elections. Not only on this issue, but he has kept on making promises that Rs.50,000 crores package will be given to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh and that the new capital will be finalized by September and he has made mention of certain locations as the capital city. He has also announced that an investment of Rs.1,50,000 crore would be made for development of Visakhapatnam – Chennai industrial corridor.
All his announcements and promises are likely to influence or confuse the minds of voters and amount to violation of the Model Code of Conduct. If Shri Ramesh was campaigning for his party, then he was not supposed to talk or make promises on behalf of the Government which are likely to influence the electorate. If he was on official visit, his acts and utterances did amount to violation of model code of conduct in terms of the provisions mentioned above. As he himself has confessed in his speech, he has not visited Polavaram for seven years. He has chosen to do so only after the Election process has started. This itself speaks volumes about his intent.
We, on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, request you to have the matter looked into, appropriate enquiries made and then suitable action taken against the Minister concerned and the party he represents. In support of our averments, a CD is enclosed which contains video recordings and press clippings. We are confident that you would initiate appropriate action in the matter as early as possible.
Yours faithfully,
| (Rajiv Pratap Rudy) National General Secretary MP (Rajya Sabha) |
(Syed Shahnawaz Hussain)
|
| (Sushil Kumar Modi) Ex-Deputy CM Legislative Party Leader |
(R. Ramakrishna) National Convener, Election Cell MP (Rajya Sabha) |
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