2 new EC observers for Amethi

The Commission removed Rao from Amethi pending verification of allegations of partisanship levelled against him by the BJP.

In a complaint to the Election Commission the BJP had alleged that Rao had called on Priyanka Vadra, daughter of Congress President Sonia Gnadhi, who is contesting from the constituency.

Describing Rao8217;s conduct as unbecoming8217; of a Central observer, the BJP had also brought to the notice of the EC that Rao had earlier too been involved in controversy when his name was associated with Sushil Sharma, prime accused in the notorious tandoor murder case.

Rao had then been quizzed by the police for his alleged role in sheltering Sharma after the murder of a Congress activist, Naina Sahni.

Since all eyes will be trained on the Amethi contest, where Gandhi is pitted against the sitting BJP MP, Sanjay Singh, the EC has decided to have three Central observers in place for the polls to be held on October 3.

Apart from the two new observers, the third observer is S M Acharya, who had been appointed earlier along with Rao.