The Election Commission (ECI) had appointed Sonu Sood as the ‘Icon’ of Punjab about a year ago.
Raju said in an official statement that the Election Commission of India has canceled the appointment of Sood as the ‘State Emblem’ of Punjab on January 4.
It is noteworthy that actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood had said in November last year that his sister Malvika is entering politics, but she has no such plans.
Sood said in a tweet, ‘Like every good thing, this journey too had to come to an end. I have stepped down as ‘State Icon of Punjab’. This decision has been taken by me and the Election Commission mutually in the light of a member of my family contesting the Punjab Assembly elections. I wish him all the best for his future endeavours.
Like all good things, this journey has come to an end too.I’ve voluntarily stepped down as the State Icon of Punjab.This decision was mutually taken by me and EC in light of my family member contesting in Punjab Assembly Elections.
I wish them luck for future endeavours.🇮🇳— sony sood (@SonuSood) January 7, 2022
Talking to the Indian Express, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer S. Karuna Raju said the decision has been taken after taking note of some media reports on the actor’s recent meetings with political figures.
Raju said, “To be the State Icon of the Election Commission of India, we need a person who is non-political and not associated with any political party, its activities or politicians. That’s why we recommended removing him as a state icon, which has been approved by the commission.
Giving information about sending a written message to actor Sonu Sood in this regard, he said, ‘I have spoken to Sood and have informed him about this. We also thanked him for his wonderful journey.
Raju said his appointment was withdrawn on January 4. Sood had visited Punjab several times in the recent past. During this, he met many political figures including Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal.
He also held a press conference a few weeks back, in which it was announced that his sister Malvika Sood Sachar would contest from Moga. Recently he was camping in this constituency and was visiting villages along with his sister as part of election campaign.
Speaking to The Indian Express, actor Sonu Sood said that he had already planned to give up the title, as his sister would contest the elections.
He said, ‘This journey with the Election Commission has been excellent. However, I was no longer fit for this title, as my sister will contest from Moga. I was planning to drop the title myself in the coming days.
Sood is originally from Moga district of Punjab and came into the limelight for helping migrants reach their homes during the COVID epidemic. He had arranged for transport to take the migrant workers who were unemployed due to the COVID-19 lockdown and stranded at different places to their homes.
(with input from news agency language)
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