Assam's chief minister accused of violating 'Model Code of Conduct'

Guwahati: Assam Congress today wrote to Nitin Khade, the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, urging him to take "immediate necessary steps for vacating the State Guest House situated near the Raj Bhawan, Uzanbazar, which is presently being occupied by the Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal.

Terming it as a "clear violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct which came into force for the Assembly polls, 2021", the Congress added that the Guest House is not an official residence and therefore, Sonowal cannot use it before the polls.

The Chairman of the legal Department of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee said: "It has come to the notice of our Department that the present Chief Minister of Assam Sri Sarbananda Sonowal has been using the said State Guest House as his residence even after announcement of the dates of Assembly Election in the State of Assam by the Election Commission of India on 27-02-2021. As the said Guest House situated near the Raj Bhawan, Uzanbazar, has not been of declared as his residence prior to coming into force of the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of India, the same cannot be used by him as his residence at this juncture as the Model Code of Conduct has come into force", Niran Borah wrote in his communique. 

Moreover, since the said Guest House Is considered to be a Public Guest House, as such, the same cannot be used by the Chief Minister of Assam as his residence thereby monopolizing the same as It is a clear violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of India, he further added.

"Under such circumstance, I on behalf of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee request your goodself to kindly look Into the matter and take Immediate necessary steps for issuing direction to Sri Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister, Assam for vacating the State Guest House with Immediate effect to protect the mandate of the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of India," the communique further added.