The Hindu : National : BJP leader “violates” model code

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BJP leader “violates” model code

Sunny Sebastian

JAIPUR: BJP national vice-president Kailash Meghwal allegedly violated the model code of conduct for elections by gifting Rs. 10,000 to a woman, during a poll campaign in Barmer district’s Gagaria village on Tuesday. The former Union Minister for External Affairs, Jaswant Singh, father of the BJP candidate and sitting MP from Barmer, Manavendra Singh was also present.

Mr. Meghwal, sitting MP from Tonk — who has not yet received party re-nomination from any seat—reportedly resorted to the largesse after Badi Devi, a woman afflicted by leprosy, made an appeal for help in writing to the leaders present at the function, organised in the border village of Gagaria, 50 km. from Barmer. Manavendra Singh was not present at the programme, also attended by the former Minister Srikishen Songara.

The local sources said both Mr. Meghwal and Mr. Jaswant Singh distributed money at the same function in the predominantly Muslim locality. While Mr. Meghwal did it after the appeal made by the woman, Mr. Singh, handed over a Rs.100 note to a group of Manganiars (traditional singers in the desert) who addressed him as “Data” (the traditional way of address by a local person to a senior Rajput) while leaving the stage after the meeting.

When contacted by The Hindu, Barmer Collector and District Election Officer Ravi Jain said the matter was brought to his notice by the local tahsildar.

Checking video

“There seems to be a prima facie case [regarding Mr. Meghwal]. I am in the process of checking the video before sending a final report to the Chief Electoral Officer in Jaipur,” he informed.

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