Probe ordered against Bihar CM for poll code violation

Hajipur(Bihar), Aug 19: A probe was ordered on Tuesday by Vaishali district election office against Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi for allegedly inducing voters in favour of alliance candidates in bypoll.

Additional District Magistrate Umashankar Mandal, who is Returning Officer for Hajipur Assembly seat where bypoll would be held on August 21, ordered probe by a special election cell of the district into the matter.

The probe has been ordered into alleged assertions of the Chief Minister during an election rally here today that if alliance candidates win on all 10 seats witnessing bypoll he as a CM would "go out of way" to solve their problems.

In pursuance of this promise, he asked people gathered in the meeting to raise hands so that he could garland JD(U) candidate Rajendra Rai.

The ADM told reporters about the probe and said if something objectionable was found, lawful action would be initiated.

Manjhi along with JD(U) President Sharad Yadav addressed an election rally at Sanskrit college here on the last day of campaigning today.

The JD(U) candidate Rajendra Rai is supported by RJD and Congress. BJP has fielded Awdesh Singh against him in the by-election.

PTI