Bhadana accuses rival of code violation

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Tribune News Service

Faridabad, May 12

Polling was generally peaceful in the constituency on Sunday though there were a couple of minor scuffles and allegations of violation of the model code of conduct.

Congress candidate Avtar Singh Bhadana lodged a formal complaint with the election authorities, charging his rival Krishan Pal Gurjar of the BJP with distributing lakhs of voter slips bearing advertisement of the party and himself, which was illegal and in violation of rules.

He said the expenses of this activity, which was Rs 1.40 crore, put Gurjar’s election expenditure more than the limit fixed by the Election Commission. “It was canvassing for votes after the end of campaigning,” Bhadana said.

Rejecting the charge, Gurjar described it as a sign of frustration. He claimed that Bhadana had resorted to this move as he was in a winning position.

There was a minor scuffle between supporters of the Congress and the BJP. A spat between Bhadana’s sister Daya Bhadana and BJP MLA Seema Trikha was reported from the Badkhal Assembly segment. Polling went off peacefully, said officials.

Mani Ram Sharma, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer, who toured Hathin and Hodal subdivisions, claimed that favourable weather conditions helped in good turnout. He had to tell the reason for the good turnout before noon to the higher authorities.