Date:20/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/20/stories/2008052059961100.htm

National

Notice to Badal

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday issued notice to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by mixing his official visits with campaign tours.

The poll body has asked the Chief Minister to reply by 5 p.m. on Tuesday why action should not be taken against him for the violation when the model code is in force in view of the by-election in the Amritsar South Assembly constituency.

The EC pulled up Mr. Badal for clubbing his visits to Taran Taran and Moga with campaign trips to Amritsar on as many as six specific occasions between April 28 and May 15. It pointed out that all Ministers shall not combine in any manner their official tours with election work after announcement of byelections. — PTI