Kawasi Lakhma. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
“Police have registered two cases against senior Congress leader and the party’s Bastar Lok Sabha seat candidate Kawasi Lakhma in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) through his alleged objectionable remarks,” officers mentioned on April 13.
“While an FIR was registered against him at Mirtur police station for allegedly making an objectionable remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, another case was registered at Kutru police station for his alleged statement against police and administration,” a district official mentioned.
“The cases were registered on Friday evening based on the complaints lodged by the district returning officer,” he mentioned.
Mr. Lakhma, who represents the Konta Assembly constituency in Sukma district and served as a Minister within the earlier Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress authorities, has been fielded by the social gathering within the Bastar Lok Sabha seat. Bijapur district falls in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency.
“As per the election official’s complaint, Mr. Lakhma on April 8 evening held a public meeting in Mirtur without taking permission from the competent authority and made objectionable remarks against the PM in the local dialect,” he mentioned.
“Similarly on the same day, Mr. Lakhma held a public rally in Kutru cricket ground and made an objectionable remark against the police and district administration,” he mentioned.
At the rally, Mr. Lakhma mentioned there’s a reserve of tin close to Tongpal (Sukma district) and the villagers informed him that the police have been taking measurements (of the forest space). “He then asked the villagers to attack the police with bow and arrow,” he added.
Mr. Lakhma was booked beneath Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 500 (whoever defames one other shall be punished with easy imprisonment for a time period which can prolong to 2 years, or with nice, or with each) and 506 (prison intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the official mentioned, including {that a} probe was beneath means.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) additionally lodged a criticism with the Election Commission of India looking for to quash the candidature of Lakhma for allegedly making objectionable feedback against the PM.
With this, a complete of three FIRs have been registered against Mr. Lakhma for alleged violation of the model of conduct. Earlier, he was booked for allegedly distributing money to individuals exterior a temple in Jagdalpur, the headquarter of Bastar district final month.