UDF urges EC to take stern action against SDF

Gangtok, March 06:The United Democratic Front (UDF), a representative body of the Opposition parties, on Friday urged the Election Commission to take stern action against the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) for violating the model code of conduct by allegedly spending Rs. 5 crore on the foundation day celebrations of the ruling party two days ago.

The SDF spent over Rs. Five crore and mobilised about 10,000 vehicles for its foundation day function at Rangpo on March 4, 2009, which amounted to a flagrant violation of the model code of conduct put in place for the forthcoming assembly and parliamentary polls in Sikkim, the UDF Chief Coordinator K N Upreti said in a release on Friday.

Stating that the spending of public money and the use of official machinery and vehicles tantamounted to a clear violation of the model code of conduct, Upreti urged the Election Commission to take stern action against the ruling party for allegedly flouting the norms in this regard.

The UDF leader also alleged that the ruling party activists were defacing buildings by painting banners and posters of the SDF for electoral purposes, which he claimed, was yet another example of violation of the model code of conduct.