The Bharatiya Janata Party has petitioned the Election Commission against Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh for alleged violation of the model code of conduct.
A delegation of the BJP submitted a memorandum along with a CD to the Election Commission claiming that Mr. Ramesh violated the provisions of the model code, which forbids a Minister from canvassing for a party while on an official tour.
The BJP delegation contended that the Minister, while touring Andhra Pradesh in his official capacity, was campaigning for the Congress.
The memorandum said that on March 12, the Minister accompanied by leaders/workers of the Congress, visited the Polavaram project site. He held detailed discussions with engineers and sought to know the chances of reducing the height of the project to minimize risk of submergence.
“He is seen indulging actively in promoting and propagating the prospects of his party in the ensuing elections. Not only on this issue, but he has been making promises that a Rs.50,000-crore package will be given to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh and that the new capital will be finalised by September. He has made mention of certain locations as the capital city. He has also announced that an investment of Rs.1,50,000 crore would be made for the development of the Visakhapatnam-Chennai industrial corridor,” a member of the BJP delegation said.
Elections to the 294-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly will be held on April 30 and May 7, along with voting in the respective Lok Sabha constituencies in the State.
