Wednesday, December 22 2004 18:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Election Commission advisor K J Rao, who today (Dec 22, 2004) held a day-long probe into alleged violation of mode code of conduct for elections by the ruling RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) in Bihar for its December 23 rally, ordered registration of FIRs against those found guilty of putting up posters, hoardings and banners on Government buildings.

Rao met a cross section of the people, including Government officials and businessmen to inquire about alleged misuse of the official machinery, expenses on hoardings, banners, posters and other preparations for the rally which was suddenly called off by RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav yesterday (Dec 21, 2004).

Official sources said that Rao asked the authorities of Patna and Vaishali districts to register FIRs against those guilty of putting up posters, banners and hoardings on Central and State Government buildings, including Railway premises.

Accompanied by the Patna district magistrate Gautam Goswami, Rao went around the city and took the officials to task for not strictly enforcing the model code, which came into effect on Friday (Dec 17, 2004) after the dates for the three-phase Assembly poll in Bihar were announced by the Commission.

"How did you allow them put up banners, hoardings and posters at restricted places," Rao was seen asking the district authorities in Patna.

Rao visited Patna railway station to find out the details about postponement of a function where Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav was to inaugurate a platform on Friday and asked about expenses incurred on reserving the trains for ferrying the rallyists.