Probe into violation of model code of conduct

PATNA: The Election Commission adviser K J Rao on Wednesday conducted a probe into alleged violation of model code of conduct for ensuing assembly elections by the ruling RJD in Bihar for its December 23 Kisan Mazdoor Maharally..
Rao during his day-long visit to Patna and Hajipur ordered lodging of FIRs against those who put up hoardings, banners and posters on central and state government buildings under the Defacement Property Act of 1985.
Rao will submit its report to the chief election commissioner (CEC) T S Krishnamurthy on Friday in New Delhi. Before leaving for New Delhi, talking to mediapersons here on Wednesday evening refused to divulge the details of probe done at Patna and Hajipur.
During his day-long visit, he hinted towards misuse of government machinery and directed concerned officials both at Patna and Hajipur to register FIRs against the concerned party workers.
According to an eye-witness account, Rao was surprised to see the party posters and banners at Hajipur railway station and its Eastern Central Railway zone office.
"How did you allow them put up banners, hoardings and posters at railway station and other restricted places," Rao was seen asking the Hajipur SDO.
Rao during his day-long visit met a cross section of the people, including government officials, businessmen, labourers, officer-in-charge, police officials to inquire about alleged misuse of the state government machinery, expenses on hoardings, banners, posters and other preparations for the rally which was suddenly called off by RJD president Lalu Prasad on Tuesday.
Rao accompanied by Patna DM Gautam Goswami, went around the city and took the officials to task for not strictly enforcing the model code which came into effect on last Friday after the dates for the three-phase assembly poll in Bihar were announced by the EC.
Rao visited several places including Patna railway station, MLA flats, high court, Dak Bungalow road, Bailey road, Bankipur bus stand and Kotwali police station to find out the details about postponement of a function where railway minister Lalu Prasad was to inaugurate a platform on Friday and asked about expenses incurred on reserving the trains for ferrying the rallyists.