EC notice to Mulayam on prima facie poll code "violation"

The Election Commission on Friday issued a show cause notice to ruling Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav for allegedly threatening school teachers appointed on contract by Uttar Pradesh government to either vote for his party in Lok Sabha polls or risk losing permanent status

Holding that Yadav has prima facie violated the Model Code of Conduct, the Commission has given him time till Sunday evening to send his reply, failing which it will take action.

On April 3, addressing an election rally in Bulandshahr in UP, Yadav had allegedly threatened shiksha mitras (government primary school teachers on contract) to vote for the SP or else they will not be made permanent.

"As far as shiksha mitras are concerned, we have done it (made them permanent)...we have done it, now give your vote. If you do not vote, we'll withdraw it," EC quoted Yadav as saying.

Issuing him the notice, the Commission reminded him of the provision in the Model Code which bars the party in power, whether at the Centre or in the state, to use its official position for the purposes of its election campaign.

Shiksha mitras are ad hoc teachers at government primary schools in UP.