BJP meet at CM home violation of MCC, says Congress

The Opposition Congress on Monday complained to the election authorities that BJP had violated the model code of conduct by holding meetings of its parliamentary panels at the chief minister's official residence.

"The CM's official residence is a government building. Political activities are not allowed there when the model code of conduct is in force. BJP's meetings of March 17 and 18 for selection of candidates (for Lok Sabha elections) at the CM residence are a violation of code of conduct," Balubhai Patel, chairman of Gujarat Congress' election coordination committee, said in a complaint to the state's Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishna.

Following the complaint, the CEO office directed the Gandhinagar collector to look into the matter and to submit a report.

However, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani dismissed the complaint and said that there was no violation of the code of conduct.

"The CM has certain rights. Election campaigns are not allowed (from government buildings), but it is his residence. Chief Minister's security... everything has to be considered. We are meeting and having discussions at the CM residence. Campaign or speeches are not being done," he said.

Security Concern

• State Congress said that Vaghani’s statement about concerns of CM’s security was an admission of law & order situation in the state 
• “If Gujarat BJP head-quarter Kamalam is not safe for the CM, what about the safety of six crore Gujaratis,” state Congress president Manish Doshi said