Madhya Pradesh health minister Narottam Mishra disqualified by Election Commission over paid news

Bhopal: The Election Commission has disqualified Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Narottam Mishra over paid news allegations, said media reports published on Saturday. 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.
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.
The Election Commission notice read, “42 news, which were published in various newspapers between November 8 and 27 in 2008, appear to be advertisements in garb of news.”
The Election Commission has now decided the case.