PDP complains against NC for alleged model code violation

Srinagar, March 17 (IANS) Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir for alleged use of a police vehicle to ferry food for party leaders during the NC meeting in Srinagar last week.

The PDP written complaint, sent to the state chief election officer, said: "Saturday (March 14, 2014) the ruling National Conference party held its provincial working committee's meeting at its headquarters in Srinagar.

"Among others Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and most of his ministers, MPs and legislators from Kashmir participated in the meeting.

"National and local media widely reported that wazwan, a local cuisine, was served to the participants for lunch. While nobody could question the choice of dishes, it was also reported the dish was carried in police vehicles.

"Photographs that appeared in media along with some of the reports are enclosed for perusal which provide incontrovertible evidence in support of the reports.

"This is a brazen misuse of official machinery and resources for carrying out party activities on any given day.

"But in the context of the ongoing electoral exercise, we believe this is an unabashed violation of the model code of conduct which deserves a serious notice by the Election Commission.

"We accordingly bring it to your kind notice for appropriate action so as to prevent the ruling parties from using state resources for their partisan ends."