Thursday, October 20 2005 12:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Ram Vilas Paswan's plank of a Muslim Chief Minister could land him into problem with the Election Commission today (Oct 20, 2005) issuing a notice to the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader following complaints that his promise was violating the Model Code of Conduct.

Paswan has been accused of appealing to voters in the name of religion, EC sources said.

The Commission has acted on the basis of two complaints filed by former Border Security Force (BSF) DG Prakash Singh and another one by Gaurav Kathuria, they said.

Singh alleged that the LJP leader's promise violated not only the model code of conduct but provisions of the IPC, and the Representation of People's Act as it aroused the electorate's 'communal feelings'.

Kathuria had earlier moved the Supreme Court alleging that Paswan was whipping up communal feelings for electoral gains. While disposing off his petition, the Apex Court gave him liberty to approach the EC on the issue.

The Commission considered both the applications and sent them to the LJP leader seeking his comments by October 24, the sources said.