EC examining Mamata’s response to show cause notice

Kolkata, April 21 (IANS) The Election Commission (EC) is examining West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s response to a show-cause notice it served on her for violating the model code of conduct, said an official on Thursday.

"Reply to EC notice has been received from Mamata Banerjee. It is being examined," said the Election Commission official.

The commission on April 14 served the show-cause notice on Trinamool Congress chief Banerjee for announcing the creation of a separate district in West Bengal where elections are underway.

That is prima facie a violation of the model code of conduct that the commission imposes on politicians for the duration of the elections.

The show-cause notice was earlier responded to by Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, which the commission rejected on the ground that the notice was never issued to the state government, but to the Trinamool Congress chairperson.