Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112761821000.htm

National

EC notice to Deora on BJP complaint

Neena Vyas

Asked to explain statement on fuel price

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesday sent a notice to Petroleum Minister Murli Deora acting on a complaint filed before it by the Bharatiya Janata Party that he had violated the model code of conduct for elections by suggesting that after the assembly elections the government could cut the prices of petroleum products as international crude prices had fallen.

The notice asked Mr. Deora to respond with an explanation by 3 p.m. on Thursday. It asked him to respond to the complaints in the memorandum given by the BJP as well as to news reports that he had suggested the government was ready to bring down the prices of petroleum products.

A similar notice has been sent to Petroleum Secretary R.S. Pandey.

Earlier in the day, a memorandum was submitted to the Election Commission by a BJP delegation consisting of Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Balbir Punj and R. Ramakrishna.

The memorandum said that on November 25 Mr. Deora had made a statement to the effect that crude prices had fallen substantially in the world markets.

“Consequently, it is but natural that the public expects a reduction in prices of petroleum products.”

He also gave a firm indication that the Cabinet would take an appropriate decision in this direction “after the conclusion of current assembly elections,” it said.

“Deliberate attempt”

The BJP pointed out that this was calculated to affect the electoral outcome and violated the model code of conduct that prohibited a party in power from making policy announcement during the election process.

It was a deliberate attempt to influence voters in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir, the party said.

Even though a firm announcement was not made, “a firm indication of a scheduled announcement is equally reprehensible.”