BJP complains to EC against Jairam Ramesh

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today complained to the Election Commission of India against rural development minister Jairam Ramesh for allegedly flouting the model code of conduct during his recent tour of Andhra Pradesh.

The BJP in its complaint said Ramesh visited the Polavaram multi-purpose project on Wednesday, where he made several promises related to the project. The BJP's complaint claimed that Ramesh had frequently travelled extensively to Seemandhra and Telengana "to propagate and further his party's political interests in both the regions".

The BJP said the model of code of conduct prohibits a minister combining their official visit with electioneering work as also making any promise to construction roads, providing drinking water, etc. The BJP claimed Ramesh's retinue included Congress scheduled caste cell incharge Koppula Raju.

It said Ramesh wasn't the minister incharge of the Polavaram project and was not expected to make any comments that violate the provisions of the model code of conduct. The BJP submitted a CD and press clippings as evidence. It said Ramesh hadn't visited Polavaram in seven years but did only after the start of the election process.