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Journalism of Courage
The Election Commission has decided to exonerate Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar with a warning, despite the allegations of poll code violation being found to be true.
Chief Election Commissioner CEC B B Tandon said after examining Pawar8217;s reply, the Commission found that the allegations against him are true. 8216;8216;Since it was the first instance of violation by Pawar and in view of the regret expressed by him in his reply, the EC decided to absolve him with a caution that he and his party should be careful in the future,8217;8217; he said.
The minister had announced the revival of a sick sugar mill in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar and also promised to give loans to sugarcane growers. The EC then had served a notice to Pawar for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
Asked about the poll code violation charges against Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, the CEC said the EC is examining their replies.
The CEC, accompanied by two other Election Commissioners, was on a two-day visit to Bihar to review poll preparations. This is the second visit of the full commission in the poll-bound state.
Tandon said the EC had reports that several 8216;8216;influential criminals8217;8217;, who were supposed to be in jails, were moving around freely. The CEC said he had ordered a probe into the matter and action would be taken against concerned people.
