Election Commission serves notice to Digvijaya Singh for giving money to beggars at temple

BHOPAL: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh — the party candidate for Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency — was on Tuesday served a notice by the Sehore administration over a video that shows him allegedly distributing money to beggars outside a temple. The former chief minister has till April 9 to file his reply.

Last Friday,

Digvijaya

was scheduled to hold a party workers’ meeting at Raj Garden in Lunia Chouraha of Sehore. On the way, he stopped for prayers at Chintaman Ganesh temple in the town. The video, shared widely on social media, shows him allegedly handing Rs 20 notes to some women beggars.

State BJP vice-president Vijesh Lunawat filed a complaint with EC on Saturday, alleging violation of model mode of conduct. SDM Varun Kumar Awasthi has issued a notice to Digvijaya, asking for his explanation. Sehore collector Ganesh Shankar Mishra pointed out that Sehore is within Bhopal parliamentary constituency. “The model code of conduct is in effect and any candidate or political party giving money, for no apparent reason, is violation of the model code of conduct. The BJP had lodged a complaint,” Mishra said.

The state Congress defended Digvijaya and argued that it’s not a violation of model code of conduct. Speaking to TOI, state Congress media department convener Narendra Saluja said, “This doesn’t qualify to be a violation of model code of conduct. In Indian tradition and culture, any religious person visiting a temple does some charity by helping needy persons. It’s BJP’s degraded mentality that they see model code of conduct violation in a religious tradition. Perhaps, BJP does not believe in helping the poor and needy sitting outside temples.”

Lunawat retaliated by saying, “Digvijaya Singh’s dirty tricks are not going to work in Bhopal. He is visiting temples by day and dargahs by night. The man who accosted Hindus and RSS for years has suddenly turned pro-Hindu. During democratic elections, political parties have to abide by the law, EC and model code of conduct — all of which are being disregarded by Congress.”