Amravati (Maha): Supporters of rebel Congress candidate Sunil Deshmukh, contesting against President Pratibha Patil son Rajendra Shekhawat in Amravati, have demanded removal of President photos from government offices here saying it was required to ensure fair polls.
Congress Mayor Ashok Dongare, who is backing Deshmukh, a Minister and sitting MLA from Amravati, yesterday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission through the Collector here on the issue.
In the memorandum, he demanded either removal of or covering all the photos of the President in government offices and educational institutions as her son is in fray as official Congress candidate.
"The model code of conduct makes it mandatory on the enforcing machinery to wipe out every small trace of the candidate identity at any public building or government office to ensure free and fair polls,” he pointed out.
"As the public places are visited by the people, there is a possibility of their getting influenced by photos of the President to vote for her son," Dongare said.
Just as the boards displaying the works done by the MLAs, MPs and parties are either removed or covered during the election, the same should be done with Patil photos till the model code of conduct is lifted, he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 09:44