Cong demands transfer of Vadodara police commissioner

Congress today demanded transfer of city commissioner of police alleging that he did not take action against BJP workers who violated the model code of conduct in poll-bound Vadodara.

"We want transfer of the police commissioner E Radhakrishnan who has played a major role in allowing BJP workers to put up Ganesh idols in their respective areas despite violating the poll code.

"In a communally-sensitive Junigadhi area, BJP workers have put up a big cutout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a Ganesh pandal despite the poll code being in place," alleged spokesperson of the city Congress unit, Shailesh Amin.

In a related incident, Congress nominee for bypoll to Vadodara Lok Sabha seat, Narendra Rawat today held a dharna, along with his supporters, in the premises of the district returning officer alleging a "biased attitude" of police against Congress.

Rawat had set up a tent near Sursagar lake to thank citizens for peaceful conclusion of Ganesh festival despite the police administration refusing him permission.

However, Amin claimed that the tent was put up on oral confirmation given by Raopura police station.

"We had deposited fees with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) for this purpose. We had also received verbal clearance from Raopura police station, to go ahead with setting up of the tent," he said.

"Despite this, police personnel rushed to the spot and damaged and demolished the tent today. It shows the bias against Congress by police," Amin said.

He said that Congress will approach poll observers if "we do not get justice from the district election officers and make our representation before them."

Radhakrishnan could not be reached for comment.

The by-election, scheduled for September 13, is necessitated following Prime Minister Narendra Modi vacating the seat and retaining Varanasi seat which he had won in recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Vadodara Deputy Mayor Ranjan Ben Bhatt is BJP's candidate for the election.