Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was on Monday booked for alleged violation of model code of conduct by Uttar Pradesh authorities which said that his roadshow in Kanpur had breached the time limit and the roadmap set by them.
Kanpur district magistrate Hari Om said that an FIR has been filed against Mr Gandhi and city Congress chief Mahesh Dikshit who have been booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for violating prohibitory orders (Section 144) imposed in the city and under Sections 283
(danger or obstruction in public way) and 290 (public nuisance).
However, Mr Gandhi’s roadshow was a huge success with people pouring out onto the streets to catch a glimpse of the leader.
While men and boys climbed on tree tops, women and children were seen on balconies and rooftops, waving to Mr Gandhi who responded with a smile and waved out to them.
Children, along the route, threw flower petals on the leader and young women shouted slogan like “Rahul Gandhi aaye hain, nayi roshani laye hain”.
Mr Hari Om said that according to the permission given for the road show, a route of about 20 km had been prescribed. “The roadshow was to start from the Circuit House in Kanpur but it began from the airport itself. This is a clear violation of the model code of conduct,” the district magistrate said.
The district magistrate further said that Section 144 had been imposed in the city which has also been violated with the roadshow.
“The route that the organisers wanted was one with heavy traffic due to Shivratri festival so we suggested an alternative route,” the DM said.
Congress leaders in Kanpur said that requisite permission had been taken for the roadshow along a 35-km-route and the district authorities backed off at the last minute.