Gandhinagar: Gujarat Congress has filed complaint in Election Commission over BJP meeting held at Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s official residence during last two days.

Balubhai Patel, Chairman of Election Coordination Committee of Gujarat Congress in a complaint filed at Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat stated: While model code of conduct is effective in Gujarat in connection with Lok Sabha election, Chief Minister’s residence which is a government quarter allocated for his stay is being used for political activities. On 17th and 18th March, 2010, meetings for selection of BJP candidates have been held which is clear breach of model code of conduct. It should be probed and a notice needs to be issued. Immediate action is requested.

It’s worth noting that instead of State BJP headquarters Kamalam in Gandhinagar, the meetings of State Election Committee of BJP are being held for selection of candidates at Chief Minister’s residence for last two days. Tomorrow another meeting is scheduled to be held at CM’s residence for selection of candidates for four more Lok Sabha seats.

Election Commission orders probe on Congress’ complain

Election Commission has ordered a probe in to the allegations by main opposition Congress that the ruling BJP in Gujarat has violated the model code of conduct by holding a meeting of the party’s State Parliamentary Board/ Loksabha Election Committee at Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s official residence here.

Gandhinagar collector and Election Officer S K Langa said that he had been instructed by the Chief Electoral Officer of the state S Murali Krishna to conduct a probe and send a report.
‘I will collect the evidences etc in this regard as per the categorically laid down procedure and then submit my report,’ he said.

Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said that it was clear-cut violation of the model code of conduct. ‘The meeting to select BJP candidates was a political activity while the CM residence was a government building. When the model code of conduct was in force how can such a meeting be held there. The ECI must take action in this matter,’ he said.

BJP state president Jeetu Vaghani however said that there was no violation of any rule. He claimed that the meeting was being held there due to the CM’s security. Vaghani said that it was not a political rally or any thing to do with poll campaign. He said that Congress was raking up such things as it knew fully well that it was going to loose the election.
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Notably on the first day of the 3 day meet yesterday 11 of the total 26 Loksabha seats in Gujarat were reviewed as part of candidate selection process.

Loksabha election in-charge of Gujarat and national Vice president of the party Om Mathur, CM Vijay Rupani, state president Jeetu Vaghani were attending the meeting in which 11 ,more seats – Mahesana, Patan, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Jamnagar, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad-East and Ahmedabad-West were to be reviewed today.

On the last day ie March 19 the remaining four seats of Rajkot, Kutch, Porbandar and Junagadh would be reviewed and then final list of probable candidates on all the 26 seats would be sent to the central parliamentary board for final announcement.

What about Sonia Gandhi’s residence being used for Congress meetings? Gujarat BJP reacts

Gandhinagar: State BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya today attacked opposition Congress party over its complain before the election commission against BJP central election committee meetings being held in Chief Minister’s government allotted bungalow.

Pandya in a statement said: before filing complain against BJP Lok Sabha Election Committee meetings, Congress should look into its own history. BJP meetings have been held at Chief Minister’s official residence and as per a rule, the meetings can be held at residence. Congress should explain its stand on Congress meetings that are held at Sonia Gandhi’s government allotted residence. Leaderless, issueless and directionless Congress should stop picking irrelevant issues.

DeshGujarat