Chief minister violating election code: Himachal Congress

Shimla, Nov 4 : The Congress has filed a complaint with the election commission alleging violation of the poll code by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh, a party official said here Wednesday.

"Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is violating the election code by making announcements to lure the voters and using official machinery during the canvassing. A complaint in this regard has been filed with the state election department," state Congress chief Kaul Singh Thakur told IANS.

He said Dhumal's announcement Sunday that five news polytechnics would be opened in the state is a violation of the election code.

"The chief minister has also been accused of using official machinery for canvassing in Rohru and Jawali seats," he said.

However, BJP state chief Khimi Ram has refuted all the allegations by the Congress.

"The Congress is an issueless party. They have the habit of making baseless allegations to gain the public's sympathy," he said.

Himachal Pradesh will go to the by-polls for Rohru and Jawali Saturday.

The Congress has fielded former minister Sujan Singh Pathania against BJP's Baldev Raj Chaudhary from Jawali in Kangra district.

The BJP has pitted Khushi Ram Balnatah against Congress' Manjit Singh from Rohru in Shimla district.

--IANS