With the Election Commission writing to him not to take government officers on private trips, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said he would seek to ascertain from the EC the exact nature of his official duties when the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections is in force.
"My officer will write to the EC officially as I don't cease to be the Chief Minister when the Model Code is in force. I continue to be the CM. I need to give instructions to my officers," Gogoi told reporters here.
"Otherwise it will be difficult for me to discharge my official duties. The administration will come to a standstill if I cannot administer. Officers need my instructions. How else will I give instructions?" Gogoi asked.
Gogoi said that the EC had written to him a few days ago mentioning that as Chief Minister he should not take any government officer with him on private visits.
The EC's letter followed a complaint by opposition BJP and AGP that Gogoi had gone to Kolkata as CM to collect funds from the tea lobby for the elections.
"The EC wrote to me that I am advised not to take any officer with me on a private visit to any place.
{{/usCountry}}"The EC wrote to me that I am advised not to take any officer with me on a private visit to any place.
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