Phukan famously went on the Air Forces aircraft to Pune, Mumbai and Ahmednagar to inspect defence facilities with his wife and other members of the commission. I recall Nov.18 news report: Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Ms Sonia Gandhi, and the Chhattisgarh CM, Jogi, for violating the model code of conduct. CEC J. M. Lyngdoh, said it was prima facie of the view that the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, are squarely attracted in the present case of the use of the aircraft by the leaders of the Congress in violation of the model code of conduct and the lawful directions and instructions of the Commission. The commission said Ms Sonia Gandhi had used the helicopter on October 10, when she had travelled to several places from Raipur, including Hyderabad, Sriperumbudur and Chennai. The Congress legal brains trust today felt that Sonia had not violated the model code on October 10 as she had flown to Sriperumbudur to take part in a memorial function for Rajiv Gandhi. The function had been organised by the Union urban development ministry and was attended by Sonia.
