The Election Commission has responded to the complaint filed against Bharatiya Janata Party\u2019s manifesto for Bihar Assembly election promising free coronavirus vaccines to the people, and said that the announcement does not violate the provisions of the model code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The complaint was filed by RTI activist Saket Gokhale in which he claimed the BJP\u2019s promise to be discriminatory and a violation to the Centre’s power, taken in order to mislead the people of Bihar during the election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response to Gokhale, the election body has cited guidelines contained in Part VIII of the Model Code of Conduct and said that the free Covid-19 vaccine promise in the state election manifesto does not violate any of the provisions, the sources told new agency PTI. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to one of the provisions, the Directive Principle of State Policy preserved in the Constitution instructs the State to formulate various welfare measures for the citizens, hence such welfare promises in election manifesto cannot be objected to, said the Election Commission. The promises which can be fulfilled, should be made in order to win the voters\u2019 trust, the election body further quoted citing other provisions of model code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the BJP\u2019s manifesto for Bihar assembly polls released by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with other senior leaders, the saffron party promised that people of Bihar will get coronavirus vaccines at their houses for free, as soon as it is available for mass production in the country. Besides, free vaccination, 19 lakhs jobs for unemployed in Bihar was also among other promises made by the party in the manifesto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While, the free coronavirus vaccine promise was highly criticised by the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)and other opposition parties. They accused the saffron party of politicising the pandemic. The RJD said that the vaccine belongs to people of the country, not only to the political party. He condemned the party of using fear of death in the people for their political gain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the BJP general secretary in charge of Bihar, Bhupender Yadav was earlier reported saying that health being part of the public policy allows the political parties to make such promises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the first phase of polling in Bihar saw 54.53% of the voter turnout by the Election Commission of India. The voting took place in 71 constituencies of 16 districts in the 243-seat seat assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n