Cong accuses VMC of violating poll code

Vadodara: The city unit of the Congress party has complained regarding the ongoing works of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) stating that these had been taken up in violation of the model code of conduct for the ensuing assembly polls. Congress city unit vice president Shailesh Amin said that as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India all works except state utility services were prohibited. He submitted a complaint in this regard to the election officials.

Amin said that works like resurfacing of roads, painting of dividers and sprucing up of ponds was being taken up to impress the electorate. He added that the VMC had cleared works amounting to Rs 600 crore ahead of the implementation of the poll code and even issued work orders for these works. The complaint states that there will be no free and fair elections in the city if BJP ruled VMC tried to influence the electorate with various works. Amin has sought that instructions should be given to the VMC officials to stop works that may effect polls.TNN