In a shocking revelation, BJP candidate, Shobha Chauhan, contesting from Sojat district in Rajasthan has been seen backing child marriage.
Chauhan was addressing a gathering at a Sneh Sammelan at the Peepaliya Kala region in Sojat area.
In the video that went viral, she has been heard saying to the people that if she is voted to power, she would make sure that there is no police interference in any child marriage in her constituency.
Shobha Chauhan was also caught saying “If we have ‘Satta’ (power) and Sangathan’ (state government) at our disposal, we won’t let the police intervene in child marriages.”
This bizarre promise has sparked off a controversy as the nation, especially Rajasthan, has been trying to do away with the age-old custom of child marriage.
This illegal statement, coming from a BJP candidate just before Rajasthan goes in for assembly elections might bring in embarrassment for the party.
However, the district collector of Pali, Sudhir Kumar Sharma, has reportedly taken cognizance of this statement. Pali’s Sojat Returning Officer too has issued a notice to the BJP candidate following her controversial statement. The notice was issued for violation of model code of conduct.
“We have issued a notice to her and sought an explanation. We have got the video which has gone viral. The notice was issued on December 1. She has been given two days’ time to reply,” Sojat returning officer Ayub Khan said.
Meanwhile, the election commission officer of the district said that the matter is being probed and an action will be taken if the video is found to be genuine.
Rajasthan will vote for 199 seats of the 200-member assembly on December 7 and counting will take place on December 11.
