Opposition CPM has raised question as to how Prime Minister Narendra Modi could in a programme release first instalment of Rs 709 crore to 1.46 lakhs beneficiaries when code of conduct for the civic polls were already in force.
In a letter to the State Election Commission CPM state secretary Jitendra Choudhury said, the much publicized Prime Minister’s programme violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In the letter , however, Choudhury also wanted to know whether a prior permission was sought from the SEC for organizing the event.
In his letter, Choudhury wrote : “the para 6 of section VII under caption ‘Party in Power’ of MCC reads the following:
From the time elections are announced by Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not –
(a) announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof; or ….”.
Choudhury further wrote, “Violation of MCC has already been committed by the government, the democratic-minded people of the state are eager to know, whether the government sought your permission for launching this programme of the release of PMAY fund. If that was not done, then will you seek an explanation from the government about such blatant violation of MCC on the part of the government”.
