SC dismisses PIL for banning post-poll alliance of parties
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a PIL seeking to restrain politicians and political parties from indulging in post-poll alliance, saying such issues cannot be decided by it. “Can we direct political parties not to join one group or other? This is not a matter to be agitated before the court. Haw can we restrain parties from joining one group or other,” a bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said. The court was hearing a PIL filed by one Rajender Dutt Vasudev, who contended that it a wining candidate agrees to support an alliance without the approval of the electorate, it amounted to cheating of voters. The bench, however, was not satisfied and dismissed the plea. (PTI)
GNLF declares support for Trinamool candidate in Darjeeling
Darjeeling (WB): The Gorkha National Liberation Front of Subash Ghising on Friday declared its support for Trinamool Congress candidate for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency Baichung Bhutia. Making the announcement after a GNLF central committee meeting here, spokesman Dhiren Lama said the hill body has also appealed to the central and the state governments to restore the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council which, it claimed, had not been dissolved. Earlier in March, the Trinamool Congress leadership had approached the GNLF seeking its support for its candidate after the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha declared its support for the BJP candidate S S Ahluwalia. The TMC leadership feared that it would stand to lose a considerable portion of hill votes because of the party’s bitter relationship with the Morcha. Lama said that the GNLF has invited state minister Gautam Deb to the GNLF foundation day meeting on Saturday. (PTI)
EC warns Jayant, Hema for violating model code of conduct
Mathura: Two high-profile candidates, Jayant Chaudhary of Rashtriya Lok Dal and BJP’s Hema Malini, has been warned by the election commission for violating model code of conduct. “While RLD candidate Jayant Chaudhary has been issued warning as without prior certification of Media Certification and Monitoring Committee {MCMC}, three advertisements were published in different newspapers in his favour,”District Magistrate cum Returning Officer Vishal Chauhan said today. EC has also warned BJP nominee cine actress Hema Malini for the same offence. “Without clearance from MCMC, one advertisement in her favour was published in different news papers,” he said. Both the candidates have been instructed not to repeat the glaring mistake in future and get their advertisement duly certified by MCMC, three day prior to publishing, Chauhan added. (PTI)
Fresh FIR against Babbar for violating poll code
Ghaziabad: A fresh FIR been registered against Congress candidate from Ghaziabad, Raj Babbar for allegedly carrying his roadshow beyond the stipulated time in Masuri area of the constituency in violation of Model Code of Conduct. According to police, the actor-turned-politician had sought permission to organise his roadshow till 5 PM Thursday evening, but he continued with his roadshow in Nahal Village till 7.30 PM. “We gave Babbar permission to carry his roadshow till 5 PM on Thursday, but he continued with it by 7.30 PM, violating the Model Code of Conduct. An FIR has been registered against him at Masuri Police station,” the station officer of the police station, Subodh, said. Police said a probe has been ordered in this regard. This is the second FIR registered against Babbar for carrying his roadshow beyond the stipulated time. Earlier, he was booked in Pilakhua area of the constituency for violating Model Code of Conduct. (PTI)
Lalu dismisses charge of promoting cattle slaughter
Patna: RJD President Lalu Prasad on Friday dismissed BJP’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Narendra Modi’s charge that he had joined hands with forces promoting cattle slaughter and said it was he who used items made out of animal skin. “Narendra Modi is talking nonsense. Everybody can see that he wears sandals and shoes made of leather and I wear shoes made of cloth and canvas,” Prasad told reporters here. The RJD chief was reacting to Modi’s allegation that he was allying with forces which were promoting cattle slaughter by providing subsidy to meat export and also to abattoir. Modi also made the charge that the UPA government was encouraging “Pink Revolution” (animal slaughter for meat) apparently wooing the backward Yadav castes engaged in agriculture and cattle rearing. (PTI)