EC issues show cause notice to state Highways Minister

The Election Commission today issued show cause notice to state Highways and Minor Ports Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for allegedly violating the model code of conduct in bypoll-bound Yercaud.

The action comes in the wake of the suspension of a Block Development Officer at Yercaud for meeting the minister on November 16 at his residence, which the EC termed as a violation of model code of conduct.

"Now the Election Commission of India has issued a show cause notice to Minister for Highways & Minor Ports,Government of Tamil Nadu, since (suspended) M Jayaraman, Block Development Officer, Yercaud Panchayat Union met him at his residence on Nov 16 in violation of Model code of conduct," a release from office of Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar here said.

The EC has directed that the minister's reply should reach it within 48 hours from date of receipt of the notice, it said.

The bypoll for Yercaud (ST) constituency is scheduled to be held on December 4.