LDF lodges complaint against Tharoor

2 November 2009


Kochi: CPI-M-led LDF in Kerala has complained to the Election Commission that Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor "violated" the model code of conduct during his visit to Ernakulam, where assembly by-poll is scheduled on November 7.

In his complaint, C M Dineshmani, MLA, Election Agent of the LDF candidate, alleged that Tharoor had attended a function at a college on October 30 and had explained the Union Government's development activities and urged people, most of them voters of the constituency, "to remember the significance of Nov 7".

He alleged that Tharoor had combined his official visit with electioneering. "Tharoor has violated the code of conduct, applicable to state and Central ministers by attending a meeting of management, teachers and students of St Theresa's College, Ernakulam, where a Congress candidate who belongs to the political party of the minister is contesting," he said in the letter, a copy of which was released to the press.

"There are instructions from the EC that the party in power whether at the Centre or in the state 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," he said.

The minister should not have combined his official visit with electioneering, Dineshmani alleged and demanded that stern action be initiated against him.

LDF had earlier complained against Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi for allegedly violating the model code.

The Commission had served a notice to Ravi for allegedly announcing some sops at a public meeting in Kannur where assembly by-poll is also scheduled on November 7.