Gaya (Bihar):Bihar Minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar on Wednesday violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), as he arrived at a polling booth wearing a mask and a stole with his party's symbol.
State Agriculture Minister Prem Kumar, today rode a cycle on his way to polling booth number 120 in Gaya.
He then walked into the booth to cast his vote, wearing a face-mask and stole with his party's symbol printed on them.
However, when questioned by reporters, Kumar said he did not consider his act a violation of the poll code.
Kumar violated the poll code as he went to cast his vote The senior BJP leader later gave a clarification over the controversy, claiming that his action was unintentional.
"It was not my intention to generate a controversy and nobody pointed it out to me either. Since I was really busy, I didn't take off the mask when I went to vote," said the minister.
Kumar is the BJP candidate from Gaya and has been elected six times from the seat.
According to reports, the Election Commission has taken cognisance of Prem Kumar's action, and has reportedly directed the District Magistrate to register a case against Kumar for MCC violation.
Read:Bihar Assembly Election 2020: All you need to know
Polling began today morning in 71 assembly constituencies of Bihar in the first phase of three-phase elections amid tight security and COVID-19 guidelines in place.
Of the nearly 2.15 crore electors eligible to exercise the franchise, 1.12 crore are male voters, 1.01 crore are female and 599 are categorised as third gender, according to data provided by the Election Commission.
The candidates in the fray in the first phase include 952 men and 114 women.
(With inputs from agencies)
