Bangalore: BJP accuses Rehman Khan of violating poll code
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Mar 25: It is election time. Naturally, political parties get busy electioneering. And electioneering is time for mud-slinging and accusing each other.
The ruling BJP on Monday fired the first salvo by submitting a petition with the Election Commission against Union Minister for Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan for violating the model code of conduct by announcing setting up of special courts for Muslim youth accused of various offences, including terror-related charges.
In a petition submitted to Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha, the BJP alleged that, Khan announced that the Centre would set up special courts for Muslim youth accused of various offences and thereby violated the poll code.
Khan made the statement in New Delhi on Saturday that ministry had written to the Home Ministry in February asking for “cases against Muslim youth who have been arrested should be reviewed.”
``We had also specified that special courts should be made for them,” he said.
The BJP, in its petition said, the Congress leader was definitely trying to woo the Muslim community by making the announcement with a view to influence them in the ensuing state assembly elections on May 5.
The police do not arrest innocent people. It is the people who indulge in terrorist activities and are identified with outlawed organizations have been arrested, the BJP contended.
It asked the CEO to issue a notice to Khan and warn him to refrain from issuing such statements during the poll period.
The BJP also complained to the CEO that JD(S) state unit president and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had said that a list of candidates would be released after visiting Ajmer Dargah, which was a clear case of violation of the code of conduct.
The JD(S) has been practicing constitutionally prohibited means during the campaign and the illegal practice of wooing voters in the name of religion, it said.
“This means that enticing and luring voters in the name of religion,” the BJP said.