Logo

Logo

Governor Kalyan Singh may face action over ‘Modi campaign’ as President sends EC report to MHA

The poll body had found Singh’s remark that Narendra Modi should be re-elected as the Prime Minister, violative of the Model Code of Conduct.

Governor Kalyan Singh may face action over ‘Modi campaign’ as President sends EC report to MHA

Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Youtube screengrab | Narendra Modi)

Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh is likely to face action for “campaigning” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi after President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday forwarded a report of the Election Commission to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The President is learnt to have sent the file to the government for “necessary action”.

The poll body had found Singh’s remark that Narendra Modi should be re-elected as the Prime Minister, violative of the Model Code of Conduct, and had written to the President against him.

Advertisement

The Election Commission had examined his reported remarks in the light of possible violation of the poll code, as holding a constitutional post makes the governor “apolitical”.

It is the first time in independent India that a governor has been found violating the model code of conduct. The code is not applicable to constitutional authorities like the governor. The President has made it clear that he feels governors should keep away from active politics.

Addressing BJP workers at his Aligarh residence on March 23, Kalyan Singh had reportedly said, “All of us are BJP workers and we want the party to win. We want Modiji to become the prime minister.”

Singh, a former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, reportedly made these remarks to placate some agitated BJP members who had gathered outside his house over ticket distribution.

Singh had quit the BJP in 1999 and returned in 2004. In 2014, soon after the BJP came to power, Kalyan Singh was appointed Governor.

In the 1990s, the Election Commission had expressed displeasure over Himachal Pradesh Governor Gulsher Ahmed campaigning for his son in elections. He had later quit.

(With agency inputs)

Advertisement