New Delhi: In a jolt to Congress, the Election Commission (EC) tonight (Nov 18) said its president Sonia Gandhi and Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi have "violated" the model of conduct by using the State Government aircraft during electioneering and issued a show-cause notice to it as to why its recognition as a national party should not be "suspended or withdrawn".

The Commission is of the opinion that one aircraft and one helicopter owned by the State Government have been "used" by Gandhi, Jogi and Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Srinivas Tiwari "in violation of model code of conduct" and its specific directives, the poll panel said in a press release.

The release, issued after a full Commission meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) J M Lyngdoh, said it is "prima facie of the view that the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, are squarely attracted in the present case of the use of the aircraft by the leaders of the Congress in violation of the model code of conduct and the lawful directions and instructions of the Commission".

The Commission asked the party to show-cause within a period of seven days, as to why its recognition as a national party may not be suspended or withdrawn.

"In the event of default of the party to respond to the present notice within the time stipulated, it will be presumed that the party has nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision without further reference to the party," it said.

PTI