Friday, February 11 2005 13:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: After posters depicting post-Godhra riots in Bhagalpur and Kishanganj districts in Bihar, CDs containing footage of riots in Gujarat are on the display in Purnea, prompting the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) to approach the Election Commission (EC) seeking "punitive action" against the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and district authorities.

Such CDs are being played in the constituency of Bima Bharati, RJD MLA in Purnea and elsewhere "in blatant violation of the model code of conduct for elections," BJP national vice president Sushil Kumar Modi said in Patna.

Accusing the RJD of "exploiting religion" for electoral purposes by "indulging in such objectionable tactics", Modi demanded that the Election Commission take stern action against the ruling party in Bihar.

"Use of such CDs and posters at the time of elections will disturb peace and communal amity," Modi said and urged the EC to take "punitive action" against the district magistrate of the concerned districts.

When contacted, RJD treasurer Rakesh Ranjan said, "There is nothing objectionable in the CDs despatched by the party from here as we have properly examined them keeping the model code in mind."

Posters depicting post-Godhra riots in Gujarat had earlier surfaced in Bihar's Kishanganj and Bhagalpur districts, which had already generated a controversy.

Assembly constituencies in Kishanganj and Purnea districts go to poll in the second phase on February 15.