Nagpur:Responding to a complaint lodged by the Congress regarding a violation of the model code of conduct, the Election Commission (EC) has ordered action against the director of NSVM Fulwari School.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a directive on Tuesday, calling for action against the director of NSVM Fulwari School in Nagpur for employing school children to welcome BJP candidate Nitin Gadkari. Acting on a complaint filed by the Congress, citing a breach of the model code of conduct, the EC instructed the relevant education officer to take appropriate measures against the school director. The Congress has raised concerns about when action will be taken against the BJP candidate.
On April 3, Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe lodged a complaint against the BJP and Gadkari for allegedly flouting the code of conduct. “During a campaign rally held on April 1 at Vaishali Nagar, school children from NSVM Fulwari school were utilized by the BJP and its candidate. This disregard for legal and ethical standards is deeply troubling,” the complaint stated. Londhe also provided photographic and video evidence to support the allegation.
In response to the complaint, the election commission initiated an investigation. “Following hearings and written clarifications submitted by the school principal, it was found that school director Murlidhar Pavnikar was at fault for unnecessarily involving school children in welcoming Nitin Gadkari during a campaign rally. Therefore, we have instructed the education officer (secondary) to take action in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations,” read an order issued by the ECI on Tuesday.
While the Congress has welcomed the decision, it has highlighted that the complaint was filed against Gadkari, yet action was taken against the school administration. “While we appreciate the action taken against the school administration, no action has been taken against the BJP candidate,” Londhe remarked, questioning, “When will action be taken against Gadkari?”
