The Congress had complained to Returning Officer Anil Mukim on Wednesday that they feared the GEB machinery had been used to bring out the folder, which features Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in an army cap and photos of jawans holding the Tricolour. The Congress alleged that it was an attempt to drag the armed forces into the campaign.

Highly placed sources in the district administration told Express Newsline on Thursday that only after the report was submitted could the course of action be decided. When contacted, Returning Officer Anil Mukim said that police has been already asked to look into the matter.

Bhatt told Express Newsline that the Vajpayee photo had appeared in a magazine. He had written to Mukim on Thursday, he said, asking if the campaign violated the code of conduct in any way.