Poll code violation against UP former speaker

A case of violation of model code of conduct has been lodged against former UP Assembly speaker and BJP candidate from Allahabad (South) constituency Keshri Nath Tripathi, whose supporters allegedly assaulted a police official when he objected to their blocking a road.

 “A case of violating code of conduct was lodged against Tripathi at Mutthiganj police station late last night.Those who had assaulted the in-charge of the police station are being identified and stern action will be initiated against them,” additional superintendent of police (city) S S Baghel said.

He said the police official was beaten up at an election meeting last night when he asked party supporters to move aside as they were blocking the road which was in violation of the code of conduct.

However, BJP sources claimed that none of their supporters had assaulted the police official, who, they alleged, had misbehaved at the election meeting which was addressed among others by party MP and star campaigner Shatrughan Sinha.

Tripathi, who has been a five-time MLA from the seat, had lost the 2007 Assembly elections. He is locked in a three-cornered contest with Chaudhary Jitendranath Singh of the Congress, who is also the city Mayor, and sitting MLA and UP Cabinet Minister Nand Gopal Gupta "Nandi" who is the ruling BSP's nominee.