Congress accuses Assam Govt of using its machinery to influence election

GUWAHATI: The legal department of the Assam Congress has written to the Election Commission "on misuse of government machinery and violation of Model Code of Conduct."

The party has alleged that this is because of the instruction by the department of Panchayat and Rural Development of the government of Assam to complete all work on the PMAY houses before March 27 -- the day when Assam first heads to the polls.

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"This gives clear indication that it is politically motivated and voters are being sought to entice through such an order. Canvassing of the BJP is also being done through the said Department by the BJP Govt in violation of the model code of conduct. The EC should take strict action on such actions of the government and ensure that such attempts to use government machinery do not happen," the Congress party said in a statement.

Earlier, the party's legal wing had submitted a memorandum to chief electoral officer Nitin Khade urging him to take immediate action against Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for not vacating the state guest house which he uses as his residence even after the model code of conduct (MCC) has come into force for the assembly polls.