Hisar agri university VC violated poll code: Returning Officer

The Returning Officer of the Hisar Assembly constituency has submitted a report to the Election Commission of India (ECI), stating that the Vice-Chancellor of Hisar’s Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University (HAU) Prof Baldev Raj Kamboj had violated the model code of conduct (MCC). The officer has sought further action in the matter.

He said the VC had attended a religious event organised in the Bishnoi Temple in Hisar, where CM Nayab Singh Saini was the chief guest and political leaders including, Health Minister Dr Kamal Gupta, former MP Kuldeep Bishnoi, BJP MLs from Adampur and Fatehabad, Bhavya Bishnoi and Dura Ram, respectively, were also present on August 26.

Responding to the notice served by the Returning Officer, VC Kamboj said he, being a religious person, had been attending the religious functions in the past as well. He further said he had gone to the function on being invited by prominent persons to mark the festival of Janmashtami. He also denied participating in any political event or delivering any speech during the function.

However, in the report submitted to the ECI, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Department and Hisar DC, the Returning Officer said the VC had violated the poll code.