The Election Commission on Thursday censured senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh for violation of model code of conduct by threatening to use CBI against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.
After considering the reply of Singh who was served with a notice four days back, the EC in its order said his statement "does carry a veiled threat of misuse of government machinery against the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh" Singh in his reply said he was the General Secretary of Congress and was neither a minister in the union government nor holding a public office in any government organization and, therefore, he cannot be charged with violation of the guidelines issued in respect of the party in power, the EC said.
The EC said it did not find Singh's reply satisfactory and "is of the considered opinion that Shri Digvijay Singh has violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and the Commission has decided to censure him for the said
violation."
The EC had on April 25 slapped a notice on senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh for violating the model code of
conduct
by allegedly threatening to use CBI against Mayawati. At a public meeting held at Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh on
April 20, Singh had reportedly said if Mayawati attempted to harass Congress workers, she should understand that the case against her was pending with CBI and Congress could get back though it did not want to misuse the probe agency.
The EC had said it has seen the video recording of the speech of Singh at the public meeting and that he has violated
the model code of conduct.