EC may book Rahul Gandhi for Kanpur poll campaign road show

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Feb.20 (ANI): The Election Commission might book Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for violating the Model Code of Conduct while leading a road show to garner votes in Kanpur on Monday.

Kanpur District Magistrate Hari Om said Gandhi failed to adhere to the route proposed by the Election Commission and had also flouted Section 144, which prevents the assembling of more than four people in the city.

Om said that the administration had proposed an alternative route, taking into consideration the heavy traffic due to the Mahashivratri festival and movement of the scores of security forces.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) didn't follow the route we had proposed for the road show. He conducted the road show as per his plan. Definitely, it is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He is a star campaigner of the Congress Party. He also violated Section 144 which is imposed in the city," Hari Om told reporters.

The official said action would be taken against the organisers and those who participated in the show.

"We will take action against the organisers. We may consider action against those who participated. Definitely, we can consider it (taking action against Rahul Gandhi). Why can't it (action) be taken against Rahul Gandhi)?" said Om.

Rahul's campaign speeches and theatrics have kept him in the spotlight for a large part of the election phase in the state, most notably his act of tearing a list representing the poll promises of the rival Samajwadi Party.

Gandhi's campaigns saw him trying to convince potential voters of a stronger mandate than the one in 2007, where the Congress secured just 22 seats in a 403-strong assembly.

The fourth phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh took place on Sunday (February 19), with more than 57 per cent of the electorate exercising their franchise.

The last phase of polls is scheduled to take place on March 3 and the results would be declared on March 6. (ANI)