FIR against Gogoi for violation of poll code

Guwahati, April 11 (IANS) An FIR was on Monday lodged against Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi by the Kamrup Metropolitan district election officer for violating the model code of conduct.

Kamrup Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner M. Angamuthu on Monday said the FIR was lodged as per directions of the Election Commission of India.

"The chief minister held a press conference on Monday within 48 hours before the end of the poll. We told him that this was a violation of the model code of conduct. However, the chief minister went ahead with the press conference at a hotel in the city," said an official of the Election Commission.

Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits holding of any press conference or public rally within 48 hours of the end of the poll process.

Gogoi, however, termed the EC "biased".

He said that while the EC has been "intentionally disturbing" Congress leaders, it has been silent about violation of the code of conduct by BJP leaders.