The Model Code of Conduct came into force after the Election Commission announced the dates for Assembly elections in Bihar yesterday, but Governor Buta Singh continues to distribute political largesse.After filling vacant posts in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and the Backward Commission yesterday, when the election dates were announced, the State Government today announced that it had reconstituted the Citizens Council. The Governor, who is the Council chairman, has defended himself by pointing out that the orders were issued before the conduct code came into force. And though the State Government notification on the appointments was announced today, official sources said it carries yesterday’s date.The reconstituted Citizens Council—a body usually used by political bosses to favour their supporters—now includes Congress, RJD and LJP leaders. Former Congress minister Vijay Shankar Dubey is now the Council vice-chairman—with cabinet minister-rank—and LJP leader Sanjay Singh is its secretary, a post equivalent to minister of state. For a long time, till his recent death, Congress leader Radhanandan Jha, popularly known as RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav’s ‘‘raaj guru’’—was the Council’s vice-chairman.Yesterday, Buta Singh had filled posts in the BPSC, Backward Commission, with Congress and RJD leaders benefitting—prominent among them were Gulam Tahir, former private secretary of ex-CM Rabri Devi, RJD MLC Ramkaran Pal and former Congress MLC Laxmis Devi.
