BJP files complaint against alleged hate pamphlets
From a Correspondent
SHILLONG, May 15: The Meghalaya unit of the BJP has lodged a complaint with the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) over the alleged circulation of hate pamphlets ahead of the Tura Lok Sabha by-poll on Monday even as they targeted Congress candidate Dikkanchi D Shira.
In its complaint to the Meghalaya CEO, the BJP took serious exception to the circulation of the pamphlets.
“It is aimed at vitiating not only the peaceful electoral atmosphere on the eve of the Tura by-poll, but is also an attempt to divide and mislead the voters on commul and sectarian lines for reaping rrow electoral gain,” the state unit of the BJP stated in the complaint.
It may be mentioned that on May 14, based on a complaint filed by the Congress the Returning Officer (RO) for the by-poll, Pravin Bakshi filed an FIR at Tura police station.
The alleged hate pamphlets circulated targets Christianity by stating that it is a “Samasya” (problem) and the mission of re-conversion is termed as “Gharwapsi”.
The state unit of the BJP said that the pamphlets does not conform to the requirement of such publication as the same neither reflects the me of the signing authority and a cogent official letterhead nor the logo substantiating that it was done malafide by vested interest.
The BJP also pointed out that the Congress candidate during her campaign had attempted to create mistrust and tried to divide the voters on parochial lines by issuing hate speech.
The BJP in its complaint also suggested that the distribution of the hate pamphlets could be the handiwork of the Congress party itself.
The BJP also said that the Congress candidate has been violating the electoral rules by addressing meeting beyond stipulated hours and indulging in other acts which are against election rules.
The BJP also complained that the RO is not taking deterrent action against the Congress candidate.
“The Returning Officer has grossly failed in his duties mandated by law for conduct of election in a free and fair manner rather than succumb to the pressure of his political masters in the state,” the BJP alleged.
Meanwhile, the by-poll for the Tura Lok Sabha seat will be held on Monday. Polling will take place from 7 am to 4 pm.
The counting of votes will be held on May 19.
Moreover, in view of the IMD weather forecast that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to take place in certain pockets over Aruchal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya within the next few days from May 14 to May 18, the polling personnel have been alerted.
