Ahead of Garoth bypolls, Congress files complaint against Shivraj Singh Chouhan

BHOPAL: A day ahead of the crucial bypoll to Garoth Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district, Congress today filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct.

In the complaint, state Congress unit alleged that Chouhan has violated the Model Code of Conduct by asking a local party leader to ensure that a particular community votes in favour of the BJP and in return he (Chouhan) assured the leader a "big post" and more "benefits".

In support of the complaint, Congress has also submitted a purported audio conversation between Chouhan and party leader Rajesh Choudhry, who was also one of the potential candidates for the Garoth seat.

The State BJP, however, refuted the allegations, termed the audio tape as "fake" and said it is an attempt to defame Chouhan ahead of the bypoll.

BJP MLA and spokesman Vishwas Sarang said, "the audio clip is totally fake and a part of Congress's dirty tricks department. There is nothing in it. Congress is losing badly in the bypoll and therefore it is trying to defame BJP and Chouhan. People of Garoth will give a befitting reply to them tomorrow."

According to the purported conversation being aired on news channels and shared on social media, Chouhan said, "you (the leader) were unable to get the party ticket despite being an equal (equally strong) candidate. In the polls, condition of BJP is not good, therefore, in the remaining days you openly along with your community ensure heavy votes for BJP so that it can win with a huge margin...after the polls I will honour you by giving more bigger post than this and I am in a position to benefit you."

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh also termed Chouhan's conversation with Choudhry as violation of Model Code of Conduct and demanded action against him.

He has also uploaded the purported conversation on his Twitter handle.

State Congress spokesman J P Dhanopia alleged that the conversation is a clear violation of Model Code of Conduct and urged the EC to register a case against Chouhan in this regard while MP Congress president Arun Yadav demanded resignation of the chief minister on moral grounds as the act as per IPC section 171 (g) is a criminal offence.

Congress has also filed a petition in the court of judicial magistrate I class at Bhanpura in Mandsaur district on the issue.

The Garoth byelections have been necessitated following death of BJP MLA Rajesh Yadav.