Mangaluru: The Election Commission has withdrawn a notice issued to a Yakshagana artiste Poornesh Acharya, for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by mocking Congress President Rahul Gandhi during his performance in the renowned Kateel Mela on April 1.
In his performance, video of which went viral, Acharya had imitated AICC chief’s attempts to read out Basavanna’s Vachana “Evanu yaarava…. Evanu Yaarava.” It may be recalled that Rahul’s mispronunciation of the Vachana at Athani in Belagavi had made him a laughing stock over the internet and the Mela had used these errors to add to their humour quotient.
The notice was served to the temple management after few people objected to the performance showing Rahul in bad light after the code of conduct came into existence. Following the notice, Acharya was suspended by the management.
While it is gathered that the artiste had imitated Rahul at a play staged in Kasargod either on March 24 or March 27, before the code of conduct was implemented there was no evidence to show that he had imitated the AICC chief on April 1. The model code of conduct came into force on March 28. The notice was withdrawn citing lack of evidence, said Prasanna, Returning Officer, Moodbidri.
