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Ramdev using yoga camp for campaigns: Congress

Last Updated 15 April 2014, 20:11 IST

With the Congress complaining about yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s plan to hold an event in Vadodara in Gujarat towards the end of this month, the Election Commission has reminded that strict action could be taken if the yoga shivir was used by anyone for political campaigning.

Madhusudan Mistry, the Congress’ bet against Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Vadodara, asked the Election Commission not to allow Baba Ramdev to hold the yoga shivir, in the city on April 26. 

The EC did not issue any fresh order, but uploaded on its website a missive from the poll-panel to the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi on October 8, 2013, obviously reminding that the violation of the Model Code of Conduct during the yoga shivir by Baba Ramdev would invite strict action under the relevant laws and the permission for holding such an event might also be withdrawn.

Ramdev has, since long been voicing support for the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. He held a yoga shivir at Nawanshahr in Punjab on April 2 and allegedly used the occasion to tacitly campaign for BJP’s ally Shiromani Akali Dal.

He took out a road-show along with SAD’s candidate for Anandpur Sahib Prem Singh Chandumajra in an open jeep. He also indirectly criticised Congress’ bet against Chandumajra, Ambika Soni, apart from saying that Narendra Modi as the prime minister was necessary for the country.

This prompted District Electoral Officer of Nawanshahr to recommend that expenditure of Baba Ramdev's event should be booked to the accounts of the SAD as poll expenses.

Ramdev was also issued a show-cause notice by the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi after holding a similar camp in the national capital because Modi had attended the event.

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(Published 15 April 2014, 20:11 IST)

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