Congress alleges misuse of government machinery for campaign by Narendra Modi

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Congress, in a representation to the Election Commission today, alleged that Narendra Modi government was misusing the state machinery for the Assembly elections campaign.

Gujarat Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia led a Congress delegation to the state EC office.

The main opposition party also alleged that principal secretary to the Chief Minister, K Kailashnathan, was furthering Modi's political agenda.

Modhwadia alleged in a memorandum to Chief Electoral Officer Anita Karwal that the government, through Kailashnathan, had arranged broadcast of Modi's speech to anganwadi workers throughout the state by video conference today, and there was a plan to order the workers to join the Yuva Vikas Yatra (Modi's campaign) in this programme.

He demanded that EC should transfer Kailashnathan out of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and outside Gujarat.

Modhwadia later told reporters that Karwal directed the district collectors to stop the anganwadi workers' programme, scheduled today.

"Those IAS officers who are taking political sides should remember what has happened to police officers who were close to Modi. Most of them are in jail now. If these officials will not change their behaviour they would also end up in jail," the Congress leader warned.