Kolkata, April 13 (IANS) After receiving complaints of alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct by a Trinamool candidate by organising religious events, Election Commission officials went to Bali in Howrah district to probe the matter, said Commission officials on Monday.

The BJP alleged that Trinamool candidate Kailash Mishra from Bali organised a ‘naam-sankirtan’ to influence voters. The candidate’s name is in the ‘sankirtan’ event.

After receiving the complaint, election officials went to inspect the ‘sankirtan’ event on the spot with the central forces on Sunday evening. They enquired and wanted to see if there was a permit.

The Trinamool has targeted the BJP over this incident.

As polling day approaches, the political heat is increasing in Bali.

BJP candidate Sanjay Singh alleged that his rival candidate organised a religious event in front of the Trinamool office, showing complete disregard for the Election Commission’s rules.

The stage banner also has the name of the Trinamool candidate.

According to Election Commission norms, a candidate is barred from organising religious events unless special permission is obtained beforehand.

Receiving the complaint, the Commission went to the spot and asked the organisers for administrative permission.

According to a Trinamool leader, their candidate Kailash spoke to the Commission officials and they said that if there is no permission, the event will have to be stopped.

Kailash claimed that the BJP is trying to hurt the religious sentiments of the people only for political gains. He said, “They are using the Election Commission and the administration to stop our event. The common people have joined the religious event. The BJP is opposing it.”

According to local sources, the event is still ongoing and a decision over the matter is awaited.

A BJP leader however claimed that organising a religious event amounts to violation of the Model Code of Conduct which is in force for the Assembly polls. Bally constituency in Howrah district goes to polls in the second phase on April 29.

–IANS

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