Campaign ends in Hydergarh

By Our Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW, APRIL 5. Electioneering in the Hydergarh Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh ended today on a subdued note with the Election Commission activating its apparatus to enforce the model code of conduct amid complaints by Opposition parties that the BJP was misusing the official machinery in the run-up to the by-election.

The Chief Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh, is the BJP candidate from the constituency, where polling is to take place on Saturday.

Mr. Singh was among the campaigners who addressed public meetings till the deadline ended this afternoon. However, the din and bustle that accompanied his tour of the constituency was moderated with the Administration taking action against errant Ministers who were allegedly using their Government vehicles to canvass support for the Chief Minister. Red lights atop vehicles used for campaigning were removed both today and yesterday by the police at several places in the constituency.

The Election Commission Secretary, Mr. K. J. Rao, rushed to Hydergarh today on the directives of the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. M. S. Gill, to see things for himself. He was accompanied by the UP Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Noor Mohammed.

The Election Commission has directed all outsiders to keep off the constituency on polling day. The District Magistrate has been asked to seal the borders of the constituency till the polling is over.

Opposition leaders, however, alleged that the Administration continued to play a partisan role and while Opposition workers had been thrown out of the constituency, the Administration had not been as strict with the ruling party. A large number of BJP activists had sneaked into the constituency stealthily by this evening and the ruling party had prepared detailed plans to capture booths, a Samajwadi Party worker said.

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Section  : Other States
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