Chennai: Days after Rahul Gandhi held an interaction with students of Stella Maris College, the Tamilnadu government has ordered an inquiry on how the college gave its approval when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for elections was in force in the State.
Director of Collegiate Education ordered an immediate probe into the matter and submit a report on how permission was granted by the college, which is government aided, when the MCC was in effect in the state. According to media reports, such institutions were bound by State norms and were expected to follow the MCC.
On 13 March, the Congress president met and interacted with students of Stella Maris College. He also answered several of their questions.
Reacting to the probe order, Tamilnadu Congress Committee President K S Alagiri said political leaders taking part in college functions was nothing new and that the AIADMK was acting at the behest of the BJP in the Centre. It was an act of vendetta he said.
He further said Rahul took part in the event only in his capacity as a Member of Parliament and not as the Congress president and that MCC does not bar an MP to participate in such events. The State’s Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo had said there was no violation of the MCC and asked on what basis the Collegiate department was pursuing the matter.
“If the Tamil Nadu government came forward to take steps against the reputed Stella Maris College, I would like to warn that it will lead to severe consequences,” he said.