In a speech at a public meeting in Mahamaya Nagar on Friday, Upadhyay stated that he had threatened the Lokayukta to drop cases of disproportionate assets and misuse of MLA area development funds pending against him.

The minister also said the Lokayukta had admitted that he had committed “a great wrong”.

CEO Umesh Sinha had sought a report on the incident from the District Election Officer of Mahamaya Nagar and the DEO has sent the video recording of the speech, along with his report.

Sinha said, “The alleged remarks of the minister on Lokayukta are not a political statement, also the minister has not made these remarks on any political party or individual candidate. Hence it is not a case of violation of the model code of conduct and the matter is being referred to the ECI.”

The CEO directed all District Election Officers to send separate reports on cases of violation of the model code of conduct if any prominent person, like a minister, star campaigner or very senior leader was involved.