Sadiq gets notice for holding rallies without permission

Tribune News Service
Moga, April 19

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate-cum-Assistant Returning Officer Gurwinder Singh Johal today issued a show-cause notice to Congress candidate Mohammad Sadiq for organising 17 election rallies without permission of the Election Commission in the Moga Assembly segment on Friday.

The administration has also sought details of the expenditure on these rallies.

Sadiq has been asked to give a reply within 24 hours of the issuance of the notice, otherwise legal action would be initiated against him as per the election rules.

Meanwhile, the administration has started calculating the expenses on these rallies from the available videos and photographs. In almost all the rallies tents were erected and plastic chairs and sound systems were hired from the local sources.

Residents also honoured Mohammad Sadiq, local MLA Dr Harjot Kamal and other Congress leaders with siropas and garlands and also weighed the party candidate against ‘ladoos’. At some places, Sadiq also accepted donations in envelopes.

In all these rallies, tea and snacks were served to the voters/gathering in plastic cups and plates. The Congress’ banners were also erected at the rally sites. The cavalcade of the Congress leaders included eight to 10 vehicles.

The SDM, Gurwinder Johal, said the expenditure would be calculated in accordance to the rates fixed by the Election Commission. It would be added to the expenditure of the Congress. However, the expenditure would not be added to the personal expenses of the candidate because he was yet to file the nomination papers.

On Saturday, Sadiq carried out many election rallies in the Nihalsinghwala Assembly segment of the district, but the Congress had got prior permission to hold these rallies, confirmed Mandeep Kaur the SDM of Nihalsinghwala.