'Sorcar, Mandal cautioned against further model code violation'

Kolkata, April 2 (IANS) The EC Wednesday warned BJP candidate and magician P.C. Sorcar Junior and TMC leader Anubrata Mandal against further violations of the model code of conduct.

The caution is a result of the Election Commission's (EC) "displeasure" with the "unsatisfactory reply" received from them in response to the showcause notices issued, said Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta.

"The reply is unsatisfactory and the commission has expressed displeasure on it. We have cautioned Sorcar not to violate the model code further," Gupta told the media here.

The same has been issued to Mandal and another Trinamool leader Sabitri Mitra.

Mondal, Trinamool Congress' (TMC) Birbhum district chief, allegedly used offensive words during a workers' meeting and was served two showcause notices by sub-divisional officer, Katwa in Burdwan district and by SDO Labhpur in the Birbhum district.

Sorcar who Wednesday got anticipatory bail after a police complaint was filed against him for making derogatory comments against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was slapped with a showcause notice on the orders of the EC March 25.

The court granted Sorcar bail against a bond of Rs. 3,000.

Last week, without naming the chief minister, Sorcar said while campaigning: "She says those who have raped, they are naughty boys. I ask her, if she is raped. What will she do?"

The poll panel has also issued a formal showcause notice to Communist Party of India-Marxist legislator Anisur Rehman who had been served a notice earlier by SDO Rampurhat in the Birbhum district for using unparliamentary language against Banerjee.

Mandal has also been slapped a formal showcause notice, he said.

In the case of alleged heckling of poll personnel by Trinamool activists in Howrah district, Gupta said a case has been initiated against the workers at the district's Shibpur police station.

"We have received the preliminary report and we are awaiting the detailed report," he said.

The incident happened days after a block development officer in North 24 Parganas district lodged a police complaint alleging Trinamool activists assaulted him for removing party banners and posters.

Gupta also said the EC is taking necessary steps to ensure safety of poll officials.