JD (U) asks EC to take action against Lalu for distributing tickets from jail
TNN Bureau. Updated: 4/21/2019 7:19:30 PM
National
Patna, Apr 21 (UNI) Ruling JD (U) in Bihar today sent a missive to Election Commission urging it to take action against RJD chief Lalu Prasad for distributing tickets to his party candidates for Lok Sabha election from jail itself.
State JD (U) spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar in his letter to Election Commission accused RJD Chief Mr Prasad of conducting his party's affairs when he was serving a jail term in Ranchi-based Birsa Munda Central Jail following his conviction in the fodder scam. He said that it was the reason he continued to function as chief of RJD even after his incarceration. Under the provisions of jail manual, nobody could write any letter related to politics but RJD chief Mr Prasad distributed tickets with his signatures on them from the jail itself, he added.
JD (U) leader Mr Kumar said that tickets were distributed among candidates for Lok Sabha election with signatures of Mr Prasad on them, a completely political work from any yardstick. He said that the Election Commission should take necessary action against Mr Prasad as his act was in violation of the model code of conduct.
Mr Kumar said that RJD chief was in judicial custody following his conviction in the fodder scam, the most talked-about scam of the country. Due to health reasons, Mr Prasad was undergoing treatment at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi. In rule 999 of Bihar Jail Manual, it has been clearly mentioned that any prisoner could write a letter only to his family on a personal matter and he could not write any letter related to politics.
Mr Kumar said that jail manual of Bihar was also applicable to Jharkhand adding that RJD chief Mr Prasad`s deed was not only in violation of the model code of conduct but also of jail manual. He urged Election Commission to take action against Mr Prasad if he had violated rule 999 of the jail manual
JD (U) leader said that Mr Prasad was also found posting his comments on social media influencing election in the process.
“I earnestly request Election Commission to take action against Mr Yadav for maintaining a model code of conduct,” he added.