New Delhi, November 20
The Congress was quick to come to party president Sonia Gandhi’s rescue and promptly dispatched a two-page letter to the Election Commission (EC) today in response to the EC’s notice on the violation of the model code of conduct.

However, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, who has also been issued a similar notice, has been left to fend for himself. Already embarrassed by the spate of controversies in which Mr Jogi is enmeshed in, Congress leaders virtually shrugged off the notice sent to him.

The Congress, which faces derecognition by the EC, clarified that Ms Gandhi did travel by a Chhattisgarh helicopter on October 10 but maintained that it was not for election-related work.

The letter explained that the party president had used the helicopter to travel from Chennai to Sriperumbudur to attend an official function where President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the chief guest.

Party spokesperson Anand Sharma said Ms Gandhi had used the helicopter for security reasons at the SPG’s request. He said she had gone for a programme where a memorial to late Rajiv Gandhi was to be dedicated to the nation.

“This was a solemn occasion. No speeches were made as it was not an election programme,” Mr Anand Sharma was at pains to explain.