It was not a fuel queue anticipating an overnight surge in petrol price, but Congress party workers returning from a party’ campaign filling up ₹ 100 free petrol provided by the organised as a token of thanks. Some 350 villagers, sporting Congress party flags on their motorcycle handles, queued up at two fuel filling stations here Friday evening for free fuel. “The bill is in party’s account,” the filling station attendant, hiding his face with a kerchief, said hesitatingly.
The party workers claimed free fuel was an additional benefit apart from the daily allowance paid for participating in the campaign.
“It is a violation under the model code of conduct. But we have neither received a complaint nor have evidence — a photograph or video record — to initiate action,” the constituency’s Returning Officer said.
