Overview
- The Gujarat Congress filed a complaint with the State Election Commission on Wednesday, alleging BJP MP Mitesh Patel violated the Model Code of Conduct and seeking criminal action.
- Patel told a campaign crowd in Anklav on Monday night that if Congress members won, he would “not give them a single rupee in grant,” a line captured in a widely shared video.
- The rally took place in Anand district in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, which the complaint says signals state backing for the stance.
- Patel later defended the comments, saying he described how Congress behaved in the past and pledged that voters would not be denied development even if opposition candidates win.
- At issue is whether parties can tie taxpayer-funded local grants to party loyalty, a question the State Election Commission can examine under the poll code as Gujarat’s local bodies vote on April 26.