(Vinobha K T, TNN )
MANGALORE: During elections, it is common that election commission register case against candidates and political parties for violating code of conduct. Here is a classic example, wherein a candidate has filed complaint against the election commission.
Congress candidate B Ramanatha Rai complained that his assets are wrongly published in the election commission’s website. He also sought clarification from the election commission.
He stated in a complaint filed to deputy commissioner Harsh Gupta, who is also the district election officer, that the election commission has published an independent candidate’s assets in his name in the web page of 2008 Assembly polls. Print and visual media had quoted the information published in election commission’s website and alleged that Rai’s income has been doubled within five years after he was elected as MLA from Bantwal.
“I had submitted affidavit with details of my assets while filing nomination for 2008. Meanwhile, Ramanatha Pai, an independent candidate too had filed nomination along with his assets details. Instead of publishing my asset details in may name, the commission website has posted Ramanatha Pai’s asset details against my column in the website,” Rai said.
“Some newspapers and visual media have also aired the story and it has brought disgrace to my image. Meanwhile, people with vested interests are using the wrong information for negative campaign against me,” Rai said and requested the election commission to issue press releases to media clarifying the facts. He also said that the election commission will be held responsible for any consequences that may happen due to the mistake committed by the commission.
