Narendra Modi looks down from a hoarding in Ranchi

Ranchi, March 25: Ranchi deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer Vinay Kumar Choubey shot a notice to the BJP today, asking it to strictly adhere to provisions of the model code of conduct.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Choubey said a special team that was sent to survey across the capital today has found severe violations. “According to rules, all party hoardings should have details like the printer and publisher’s name, phone number and address on them. None of the BJP posters had it. So, I have given a 24-hour deadline to the party to remove the posters,” said Choubey.

If BJP fails to act, the administration will bring down the posters.

The diktat is going to hit the party hard, as the BJP had spent Rs 1.55 crore on these posters. Notably, the BJP was the first to dot the city skyline with 110 posters in run up to the Lok Sabha elections.

Ranchi subdivisional magistrate Amit Kumar said almost all of the 110-odd posters were found to faulty. “Infact DC saab personally had found a couple of posters not in tune with the Election Commission’s rules. So, he ordered an extensive survey today,” said Kumar.

Senior BJP leader Gama Singh, who is taking care of campaigning, denied receiving any such diktat. “The party has not received anything so far,” he said.

Ever since the model code of conduct came into force on March 5, the BJP has been blatantly violating it, if the state election commission data are to be believed. Of the 146 cases of property defacement registered with the commission, BJP has 42 against its name.

CEC visit

Chief election commissioner V.S. Sampath is scheduled to visit Jharkhand on March 31 to take stock of poll preparedness.

“A meeting is scheduled with the state election commission and district officials on next Monday,” said Choubey..