Lucknow: Accusing the Uttar Pradesh Government of secretly helping his opponent, noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani, pitted against Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, today (April 26, 2004) asked the Election Commission to take cognisance of this and check "blatant misuse" of law by the district administration.

Charging the district administration with having a tacit understanding with Vajpayee, he said nearly 20,000 of his supporters had been issued notices for apprehension of breach of peace.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

The notices were aimed at pressurising innocent people, including businessmen, shopkeepers and others, said Jethmalani, Congress-backed independent candidate.

He appealed to the Election Commission to check this "blatant misuse of law".

Alleging biased reporting by a section of the media, Jethmalani said, "I do not expect such unfair and hostile reporting from some leading newspapers."

He claimed the All India Milli Council, an apex body of Muslims, had extended support to him and had opened offices in 13 wards in the constituency to garner support for him.

Asked whether he had requested Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her children to canvass support for him, Jethmalani said it was enough for him that Gandhi would be addressing meetings in neighbouring constituencies.