No poll code violation in Vadra-DLF land deal: EC

New Delhi: The Election Commission tonight ruled that there appears to be no violation of the model code of conduct by Haryana government in clearing the land deal between Robert Vadra and real estate major DLF.

Responding to the allegation levelled by BJP's Election Cell, the EC said in its order that there does not seem to be any violation of the model code of conduct by the government of Haryana in the above matter after the coming into force of the model code of conduct from September 12.

The model code is in force in Haryana where assembly polls are due on October 15. Haryana government's validation of the mutation of the land sold by a company owned by Vadra to DLF had sparked a row in the run up to the state assembly poll.

The two-page EC order said the report dated October 7 received from the Financial Commissioner and the Principal Secretary of Haryana government states that the decision on the request for renewal and transfer of licence in favour of DLF Ltd is pending in the department since October, 2012, for want of clarification regarding the issue of ownership.

The EC said the Town and Country Planning Department has sought this clarification from the Director General, Consolidation of Land Holding and Land Records, which is yet to be received.

Therefore, the request for transfer and renewal of licence is pending in the department on which no action has been taken since then, said the EC order quoting the state government.

The Financial Commissioner of Haryana government also told the EC no action on the subject has been taken in the Town and Country Planning Department either during the period of operation of model code of conduct or before its imposition.

The poll body said the Director, Consolidation of Holdings of the state government, gave a similar reply. Further, the Chief Secretary, Haryana, has also confirmed the above factual position in the matter, the EC told convenor of BJP Election Cell R Ramakrishna. 

The EC said if Ramakrishna has any further or additional information, he can provide it to the poll body. The report was sought by the EC following allegations by BJP that the deal was cleared during the poll process.

The poll body also took cognizance of media reports in this regard. The model code of conduct for the October 15 assembly elections in Haryana came into force on September 12 when the poll process was announced. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Monday asked the Election Commission to take a serious note of Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda government clearing the land deal between Vadra, son-in-law of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and DLF, alleging it was done hastily as ruling Congress faced certain defeat in the assembly polls.

They (Hooda government) know that after the elections, the son-in-law (Vadra) will not get any clearance for illegal deals. So, in between the election process, they have dared to take such a decision, Modi had said at an election rally in Hisar.