Parties should 'nip in the bud' govt's move on model code: BJP

BJP on Wednesday demanded that all political parties should "nip in the bud" the government's reported attempt to make the election model code of conduct statutory, alleging that this was a bid to dilute powers of the poll panel.

"I think this very questionable attempt by the government to dilute the powers of the Election Commission through the backdoor by giving the impression that they are actually strengthening the model code of conduct, has to be nipped in the bud," BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters in Delhi.

He demanded that all political parties, apart from the Election Commission, should "stand up and oppose" this move of the government.

Sinha maintained that after media reports about the government's plans of bringing this up in the meeting of Group of Ministers on Corruption, the ministers have denied it.

"This denial by the ministers has now been exposed. I hope they will desist from moving it," he said, adding that this cannot be a part of the issues that the GOM on Corruption deals with.

"They (ministers) should not allow themselves to be corrupted by taking up an item on their agenda which is completely beyond their jurisdiction," Sinha said.