Ignoring a last-minute curtailing of his roadshow across all six assembly segments of Kanpur by the city administration, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi stuck to his plan on Monday, prompting district officials to book him for violating the election code of conduct.
A case naming Gandhi and party's city president Mahesh Dixit was filed with the Cantonment police for disobeying prohibitory orders, causing danger/obstruction to roads and creating nuisance.
"This roadshow didn't follow the route and the time slot specified," said Kanpur district magistrate Hari Om.
State Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi alleged, by offering a shorter route plan at the last minute and that too touching the city's periphery only, the city officials were acting at the behest of chief minister Mayawati. "We have informed the Election Commission about the incident."
In Delhi also, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi denied that Gandhi had violated the code.
Union coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal, an organiser, said the move to book Gandhi was a conspiracy by the state government. "He didn't violate the code of conduct. Was there a curfew in the city that he couldn't meet people? It is clear the government is nervous and fears him," he said.
The Congress had submitted a 35-km plan on February 17. On February 19, however, the administration shot it down citing: congestion and traffic chaos, Mahashivratri celebrations and passing of central para-military forces through the city for the fifth-phase polling on February 23. It offered a revised route plan of 20 km, but the Congress stuck to its original plan.
{{/usCountry}}The Congress had submitted a 35-km plan on February 17. On February 19, however, the administration shot it down citing: congestion and traffic chaos, Mahashivratri celebrations and passing of central para-military forces through the city for the fifth-phase polling on February 23. It offered a revised route plan of 20 km, but the Congress stuck to its original plan.
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