CPI(M) complains to EC about ‘political activity’ of T.N. Governor

The CPI(M) State unit has sent a complaint to the Election Commission of India (EC) accusing Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar of participating in “political activity” and giving an impression that he was endorsing a party in the Assembly election. In the petition, CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam alleged that Mr. Arlekar had been regularly meeting persons belonging to the BJP and the RSS, an outfit which has been actively supporting the electoral success of the BJP.

Mr. Shanmugam added that the Governor attending meetings of an outfit of a political party during an election, more specifically when the Model Code of Conduct was in effect, would be construed as being against the ethos of the Constitution and the spirit of free and fair elections. He urged the commission to intervene and issue suitable directives and advice to ensure a free and fair election.