Cong claims poll code violation in Amit Shah road show

The Gujarat Congress Tuesday lodged a complaint of model code violation during BJP chief and party's Gandhinagar nominee Amit Shah's March 30 rally cum road show here alleging that loudspeakers were used near hospitals.

In its complaint sent to Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Murali Krishna through fax, the Opposition party demanded necessary action against Shah for "violating" the poll code.

On March 30, Shah addressed a gathering near Sardar Patel's statue in Naranpura area of Ahmedabad before participating in a 4 km-long road show from Naranpura to Ghatlodia. He then left for Gandhinagar to file his nomination papers.

In its complaint, the Congress alleged that despite knowing that three big hospitals with emergency and trauma care are situated close to the Sardar Patel statue, loud speakers were used during Shah's rally at the venue.

Such use of the loud speakers near the hospitals is a clear violation of the model code of conduct, the party said.

CEO Krishna said he has directed collectors of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar to inquire into the matter.

"I have received that complaint. I have directed collectors of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts to conduct an inquiry into the matter," he said.

The Congress claimed that thousands of commuters and local residents were stranded because stages were erected on the entire route of the road show.

Roads were also blocked without any prior announcement by the administration or police, it stated.

"Common people were stranded for hours due to this road show, as traffic was stopped on busy roads," the complaint stated.

The Opposition party urged the CEO to take necessary action against Shah for the alleged violation of model code.

Polling in all 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on April 23.

The model code of conduct came into effect on March 10 when the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for general elections, to be held in seven phases beginning April 11.