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Journalism of Courage
AHMEDABAD, AUG 19: Gujarat Minister of State for Home and Information Haren Pandya today alleged that former Chief Election Commissioner and Congress candidate from Gandhinagar T N Seshan has violated8217; the code of conduct yesterday by addressing a public meeting without prior permission of the police in an area under prohibitory orders.
Talking to reporters, Pandya said here that around 1615 hours yesterday, Seshan arrived alongwith Congress leaders in three cars at a square in Gandhinagar and addressed a mob of around 150 people, including staff members of Gujarat dairy development board.
The police on duty said that this meeting took place without permission of the authorities. But, the meeting continued following which the police informed the district superintendent of police on wireless.
DSP Raghavandra came and personally approached Seshan in the midst of his speech and asked whether he had sought police permission. He requested him to stop his address if he had not done so, immediately. Seshan complied and left the scene.
Pandya said, according to the code of conduct signed years ago by Seshan himself, the candidate should inform the police prior to the meeting and if there are any prohibitory orders, he should also take permission. The minister said prohibitory orders were in force in Gandhinagar. Photographs of the meeting, showing Seshan addressing the people, are also available, he added.
He said the BJP is demanding that the District Collector should take proper action or the party would lodge a complaint with the Election Commission. He also said the vehicles used during the meeting should be seized and urged officials to work without any bias.
