FAISALABAD, July 29: Candidates of union council No 240 have blamed federal textile minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema for launching an election campaign of his nephew Irfan Haider Cheema.

The allegation of nepotism was levelled by candidates for nazim and naib nazim seats Shafiq Ahmed Gujjar and Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf, respectively, and 11 candidates for councillorship while talking to reporters here on Friday.

They alleged that the federal minister along with a number of police vans and other official vehicles visited residential localities to muster support of voters for his nephew, a candidate for nazim.

The textile minister, they said, was also making promise to provide jobs to the area people in various industrial units, government departments and other institutions, which was a clear violation of election rules.

Besides, they alleged that wall-chalking, hanging of large banners and installation of huge billboards with pictures of candidate Irfan Haider Cheema along with the federal minister and other high ranking government officials could be seen in several places.

He had not only launched the election campaign of his nephew but also piled pressure on the government machinery to implement the orders from UC’s candidate Irfan Cheema, they claimed.

Demonstrations on busy places by blocking roads and arranging meals in tents had also become a routine, which was a stark violation of the code of conduct.

They demanded that the chief election commissioner should take stock of the situation.