The Election Commission on Friday advised the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, to be “careful in future” about making announcements of new schemes for the electorate with a view to alluring them.
The Commission’s statement came after it got a complaint alleging that Jayalalithaa had violated the model code of conduct on November 28, while campaigning for her party AIADMK’s candidate in Kootatahupatti village in Yercaud district, where she announced several new schemes.
On December 2, the poll panel issued a notice to Jayalalithaa for prima facie violation of the code in Yercaud where by-elections were held on December 4.
In a press statement on Friday, the poll panel said Jayalaithaa’s explanation in her letter dated December 2, “that whatever is required for the upliftment of the people in the area would be provided”, tantamounts to announcement of new schemes for the electorate in Yercaud, and rejected her contention.
The Commission also asked various political parties, especially their leaders, to scrupulously follow the model code aimed at ensuring a level-playing field and not resort to any “subterfuge” to circumvent its provisions.