HPCC, BJP file complaints with CEC

Shimla, May 29 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh units of the Congress and the BJP today filed complaints against each other with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), saying that the other was violating the model code of conduct.

Secretary Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) S P Katiyal, in a written complaint to the CEC, has mentioned that the BJP was playing an audio cassette released by former state tourism minister Vijay Singh Mankotia in its election meetings.

Playing a such an audio cassette was in gross violation of the model code of conduct, he said in his complaint to the CEC.

Mr Katiyal said that the cassette makes no reference of its producer and seems to be doctored by the BJP to malign the image of the Congress.

The BJP, on the other hand, accused the state Congress of misusing the government machinery in favour of its candidate from Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency.

Party president, Jai Ram Thakur, in its letter to the CEC, said almost all cabinet ministers were using their powers to pressurize the employees of their departments to vote for the Congress candidate.

The Chief Minister was openly threatening all subordinate officers to vote for Congress candidate Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur, who was contesting by-polls for the Hamirpur constituency, he said.

Both the parties have called upon the CEC to intervene in the matter and ensure that the model code of conduct was not violated by the other.

UNI