MP Congress demands removal of actor Rajeev Verma as EC icon

BHOPAL: State Congress on Thursday accused Election Commission of violation of model code of conduct for the appointment of actor Rajeev Verma as EC icon in Madhya Pradesh. A delegation of state Congress media spokespersons on Thursday walked-into the EC office here and submitted a complaint demanding immediate removal of actor Rajeev Verma as state icon since he is connected to the RSS.


PCC spokesmen Narendra Saluja, Ravi Saxena, Pankaj Chaturvedi and others met EC

top brass

and submitted their complaint letter addressed to chief electoral officer. “Rajeev Verma is Madhya Pradesh EC state icon. He is also president of the regional chapter of Sanskar Bharti which is affiliated to the RSS. Being regional president of Sanskar Bharti, he also participates in RSS organisational meetings,” the letter said.

Along with the letter, the Congress submitted photos showing the actor on the dais participating in functions organised by the RSS

Madhya Bharat

chapter.

The Congress alleged that appointment of Verma as EC state icon is, “inappropriate and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct”. “Generally, the EC makes icons of persons who are not connected to any political party or ideology so that voters maybe inspired and the appeal to voters is unbiased,” the letter said. “Rajeev Verma’s connection to a certain ideology is the reason why he cannot appeal to voters without bias,” the letter argued.

Earlier, the Election Commission removed folk singer Prahlad Tipania as EC icon soon after the Congress fielded him as party candidate For Dewas Lok Sabha seat.

“The appointment made to Rajeev Verma should be terminated to ensure that Lok Sabha elections are held without fear and in all fairness,” the Congress letter said.

Election Commission state office joint CEO Abhijeet Agarwal told TOI that the complaint has been received and “an inquiry is in process”.