UP advocate general hauled up for campaigning for SP

The Election Commission has indicted the advocate general of Uttar Pradesh for using the state chopper and addressing an election rally favouring the ruling Samajwadi Party.

The poll panel has also ordered that the charges of the helicopter service will be deducted from the salary of the law officer, V.C. Mishra.

Officials told IANS that Mishra had gone to Banda recently on a state-owned chopper and addressed an election rally in favour of the ruling party.

The order was issued by the Election Commission to the state chief secretary Thursday.

Mishra Friday confirmed having received a notice from the government on his Banda visit.

He, however, defended his trip and told IANS that he had never asked the people to vote for the SP or Mulayam Singh Yadav but merely said that he had immense respect for SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and asked people to do the same.

"Is this seeking votes?" he said, refuting charges that he misused his official position.

"I am also the president of the Bar Council and hence I am felicitated at many places. As per his record, Mulayam Singh is a pro-advocate welfare leader and hence I mentioned his name. What is wrong in it," he said.

He is likely to submit a reply to the poll panel Saturday.