Hyderabad (PTI): The Lok Satta party on Friday accused the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh of violating the model code of conduct ahead of byelections to 18 assembly and four Lok Sabha seats in the state next month.

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), party general secretary D V V S Varma pointed out that the state cabinet, chaired by the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy on April 17 discussed the electroal strategy, aimed at furthering the prospects of the ruling party in the ensuing bypolls slated for May 29.

Dubbing it as an "outright and clear violation of the Code of Conduct" which came into force on April 16, the party alleged that the Chief Minister and his group of ministers were misusing their official position towards gaining electoral advantage in view of the forthcoming polls.

Verma said the cabinet discussing party strategy at the secretariat is tantamount to "gross and substantial diversion of public resources".