DEO issues notice to Patiala AAP district chief over questionable content in pamphlet

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 9

The district electoral officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, Sandeep Hans has issued a notice in the matter of violation of model code of conduct to Patiala district president of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and has sought clarification on statements made in a pamphlet by Monday.

Apparently, this is the first notice issued in the state after the model code of conduct was implemented on January 8.

The pamphlet in question was circulated in the district on Sunday which carried objectionable statements regarding allegedly accepting bribes from political parties. It is not yet clear about who has issued the pamphlet as it does not carry the name of the publisher, the address of the printing press along with the number of copies of the pamphlet printed.

The heading of the letter said, ‘Sariyan partiyan ton paise lao par vote jharu nu deo’ (Accept money from all parties but cast your vote for broom — election symbol of Aam Aadmi Party). Further, the letter says, “Accept money from these parties and cast your vote for Aam Aadmi Party.”

Importantly, the election office had received a complaint on the content of the pamphlet on the cVigil app which was launched by the Election Commission of India to enable citizens to report on violation of election code of conduct.

District electoral officer Sandeep Hans said a clarification regarding the pamphlet has been demanded from the concerned by 12 noon Monday.

Dr Balbir Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party said, “We have not issued the pamphlet and do not justify it. Apparently, someone has played a trick to defame us.”