EC issues notice to BJP, Nitin Gadkari

Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday issued a notice to BJP and its national president Nitin Gadkari on a complaint by Nagpur City and District Congress Committee, alleging violation of model code of conduct.

The SEC has sought reply within three days. Municipal Corporation election will be held on February 16.

Congress has alleged that BJP violated the code of conduct as Nagpur Municipal Corporation -- controlled by the saffron party -- put out advertisements in local newspapers on January 4, after the model code came into force.

Congress counsel Vinod Tiwari told PTI that while BJP was respondent number one, Gadkari was respondent number two in the complaint.

The advertisement was about achievements of the BJP-ruled NMC in implementing 24x7 water supply scheme, and figured photographs of Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, apart from a photograph of Gadkari, and lotus symbol.

The BJP was trying to cover up serious complaints of malpractices, irregularities and gross corruption by misusing the photographs of Congress leaders, the complaint said.