The Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab Saturday ordered the registration of two separate FIRs in Mohali on complaints lodged against Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal for alleged violation of the model code of conduct. The orders, on the eve of voting in Punjab Assembly elections, came on complaints by the AAP and the Akali Dal against each other over videos posted on social media.
The Mohali Police registered an FIR against Kejriwal following a complaint alleging violation of the model code “for making false and frivolous allegations against other parties”. The complaint was filed by Arshdeep Singh Kler, spokesperson of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), who objected to a video uploaded on social media by AAP’s state unit. He alleged that the video maligned the image of the SAD and other parties.
Chief Electoral Officer Punjab directs registration of FIR against Arvind Kejriwal and AAP for violation of model code of conduct. Action on complaint by SAD Vice President over a video shared on social media platforms.@IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/L3r6qm9wrU
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) February 19, 2022
The video is a song clip, “es vaar jhaadu challooga (the broom will sweep this time),” which shows photographs of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Captain Amarinder Singh and Sukhbir Badal, and uses a derogatory term for them.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Kler alleged that AAP had been uploading such videos on social media, while getting other videos approved by the EC. “This is the third time this has happened…” he alleged. Directing the district election officer-cum-district commissioner and senior superintendent of police in Mohali to register an FIR, the Punjab CEO had said the video had not been approved.
A senior police officer said a case was filed under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to orders duly promulgated by a public servant).
Meanwhile, the AAP alleged that “in the silent period, Badal circulated a video on his Facebook page which consists of his vote appeal with an intent to misguide voters and undue influence the voters”. The office of the CEO stated that “the said media content is still running on the Facebook page of Sukhbir Singh Badal which is in violation of section 126 (1) (b) of Representation of People Act, 1951 as enshrined in chapter 8.3.1 of manual of model conduct of conduct…” “In view of the above, you are hereby requested to register the FIR accordingly as per the legal provisions,” stated the letter to the Mohali administration and police.It could not be confirmed if an FIR has been lodged against Sukhbir Badal.
AAP also filed another complaint over alleged circulation of doctored audio clip of Kejriwal’s wife Sunita.