BJP MP Gajendra Shekhawat served EC notice for threatening govt officials in Rajasthan

Union Minister and Jodhpur BJP MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was on Tuesday issued an show-cause notice by the Election Commission (EC) on charges of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by threatening to the Rajasthan government officials in his speech earlier this week. The poll panel has also directed Shekhawat to respond to its notice by April 18.

On Sunday, April 14, Shekhawat, while addressing an election rally in Rajasthan's Pokhran, was caught on camera purportedly threatening the government officials, saying they would not be spared once the party in power in Rajasthan changes.

In December 2018, the Congress was voted to power in Rajasthan after 5-year-rule by the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government since 2014.

Shekhawat, the BJP candidate from the Jodhpur Lok Sabha seat was angered apparently by the videography of his vehicle during his election meeting in Pokhran on Sunday.

The videography was carried following a notice from the sub-divisional magistrate string that the expendidure on vehicles used by Shekhawat in the meeting would be added to his total campaign cost.

"This is not the last election. I have details of all officials. The government would change after five years. I would hang all of then upside down then, Shekhawat porportedly said on Sunday.

Soon after, a complaint was lodged against Shekhawat with the District Election Officer by NSUI leader Sunil Chaudhary over his alleged threat.

"The desperation of the BJP candidate was evident by his threat. It showed the BJP does not believe in democracy," Chaudhary said.

Jodhpur is scheduled to go to polls in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 29. The counting of votes for seven phase General Eelctions slated for April-May would be taken up on May 23.