EC imposes 3-year poll ban on MP minister over paid news
The Election Commission has barred Madhya Pradesh Minister Narottam Mishra from contesting elections for three years over paid news allegations during 2008 Assembly polls. The complaint was filed by former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti in April 2009. While Mishra had earlier approached the MP High Court seeking to quash the inquiry by the EC, his plea was rejected.
Highly placed sources have said that the Election Commission has disqualified Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Narottam Mishra over paid news allegations.The Election Commission reached to the conclusion after hearing the case and studying proof presented before it in the matter.Narottam Mishra is considered number two in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet in Madhya Pradesh. He is also the Minister for Public Relation in the Madhya Pradesh government.Complainant in the case is Rajendra Bharti, who had approached the Election Commission in 2012 alleging Narottam Mishra had paid for news without accounting for it in his expenses in 2008. Mishra had subsequently approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking quashing the inquiry by the Election Commission. But, the high court and subsequently the Supreme Court had rejected Narottam Mishra's plea. WHAT IS THE CASE?Narottam Mishra was accused of hiding his election expenses by not accounting for 'a series of paid news' published in various newspapers ahead of 2008 Madhya Pradesh Assembly election. Congress leader Rajentra Bharti alleged that Narottam Mishra did so to enhance his prestige among the voters.Following Rajendra Bharti's complaint, the Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Narottam Mishra in 2013.