BJP under ECI lens for campaigning at religious places in Chandigarh

The Chandigarh Election Department on Tuesday forwarded an inquiry report to the Election Commission of India following a complaint against the BJP for organizing surrogate programmes, especially at places of worship, to solicit votes on the basis of religion and caste.

In the complaint, a senior Congress leader said, “BJP candidate Sanjay Tandon is blatantly and openly making religious references to solicit votes in favor of the BJP. Tandon’s conduct is a gross violation of election laws and deserves the strictest action available under the law.”

After the ECI forwarded the complaint to the election department, a notice was sent to local BJP chief Jatinder Malhotra and Tandon to explain their conduct.

In his reply, Tandon denied holding any political event at places of worship, adding that his visits to temples were purely for worship purposes.

District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said, “The BJP’s response has been sent to ECI for further investigation and action.”

Meanwhile, the Election Department has again issued a notice to the BJP for organizing events in the city without permission. On Monday, the department stopped Tandon’s event at a hotel in Manimajra as permission had not been sought for the gathering. Earlier on April 24, Tandon was barred from holding a meeting in Pipliwala area of ​​Manimajra for a similar violation.

“Social media monitoring teams strictly monitor the activities of parties. After the BJP’s event was halted on Monday, a notice was sent to the BJP within 48 hours to explain their conduct,” Singh added.

AAP has filed a complaint for violation of the poll code

The AAP has also been put on notice for seeking permission to organize an event to celebrate BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary on April 14, but instead resorted to a protest against the arrest of party supremo and Delhi Chief Minister , Arvind Kejriwal.

Investigation against Congress over ‘guarantee cards’

The Congress is also facing a probe by the ministry after the minority wing of the BJP filed a complaint against the party on ECI’s cVigil app, accusing the party of forcing voters to reveal their names and mobile phone numbers via the party’s “guarantee cards”.

Congress distributed these maps, detailing its 25 guarantees, nationwide as part of its campaign. Singh said an investigation is underway. If a violation is found, Congress will be asked to submit a response within 48 hours.