New Delhi, Sept. 14: Bihar's secular alliance believes that before it stops the Narendra Modi juggernaut in the upcoming Assembly elections, it has to stop the "gravy trains" threatening to run away with the voters.

Allies Janata Dal United, Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress today complained to the Election Commission that the BJP had chartered four trains at concession rates to take voters on excursions to Mumbai, Bhopal, Raipur and Jaipur in a mockery of the poll code of conduct.

"They are not only being given a free ride on the trains, air-conditioned buses are waiting for them at the stations," senior advocate and Congress-backed Rajya Sabha member K.T.S. Tulsi told a joint news conference the three allies held here today.

"Hotels have been booked, food is given free. This is nothing but buying the loyalty of the voters."

The four 18-coach trains, which have already left Patna and would each be carrying well over 1,000 passengers, are also taking BJP workers for poll training, the allies said.

They alleged the Centre's involvement, claiming the railway ministry had allowed 60 per cent concession on the fares for these trains.

Trains can be booked at a concession for educational and religious excursions but the facility cannot be extended to political workers in election season, the allies said.

According to the petition to the poll panel, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh sympathiser named Sharad Joshi booked the four trains and a BJP member, Sanjay Kumar Rai, made the cash payments.

It says Joshi is secretary of the Jaipur-based non-profit Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society, and Rai is a resident of Patna's Salempur Dumra neighbourhood.

The bookings were made before the model code of conduct came into effect on September 9, but the alliance claimed this only reflected a conspiracy to beat the deadline.

It said the trains, which left Patna on September 7, 9, 11 and 13, would return only by September 16 and 17.

"That these trains are being used by the BJP for party work is verifiable," the petition says. "The sanction for these trains with 60 per cent concession on cost has been given by Vikram Singh, director for passenger marketing, Railway Board, New Delhi."

It adds: "The sanction letter (TC11/2221/15/VIP/12 dated 4.9.2015) was sent to Hajipur. A letter (ECR/OPT/ECV 508/HJP SPL/01/15-16) was then sent to the chief booking superintendent, Patna junction.

"On this basis, train from Patna to Raipur was booked by ticket number 003563 on 5.9.2015 costing Rs 37,22,290. The train to Mumbai was booked on 9.9.2015 vide ticket No. 003564 for Rs 31,41,060."

At the news conference, the allies exhibited video clips that showed some people saying they were going to see the development in BJP-ruled states.

"Several questions arise from this illegal, brazen and unethical act. How can the railway ministry grant 60 per cent concession for trains being used for partisan political aims?" the petition says.

"How can the central government offer financial and administrative support to a party when the model code of conduct is in operation? We demand these trains be cancelled, (the) concessions withdrawn and an enquiry ordered into the collusion of officials and the role of the government."

Tulsi said the development counted as an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

To K.C. Tyagi of the Janata Dal United, the fare concessions have made a mockery of the model code of conduct and the notion of a level-playing field.

Rashtriya Janata Dal spokesperson Manoj Jha said: "The mandate to rule is not a licence to violate every norm of our democracy. These incidents create the fear that democracy is not safe in the hands of this government."

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded an inquiry into the violation of the model code and misuse of public money for partisan political purposes.