Rahul Gandhi's road show in Kanpur today landed in a controversy with the district administration claiming that it had violated the election code by stretching beyond the allocated time and area.

"The district administration had allocated time till noon and fixed a 20-km route for Rahul Gandhi's road show. This was done as today is Shivratri and there could be a traffic problem," District Magistrate Hari Om said.

"But this roadshow completely violated the election code of conduct as it started at 10.30 AM continued till 3 P.M. It did not stick to the prescribed route and instead covered a stretch of 38 kms. Therefore, the organisers of the road show will be booked for violating the election code," the DM said.

Asked whether the Congress General Secretary will also be booked in the case, the official said they were still discussing the matter. "It is possible that a case may be filed against Rahul Gandhi. We have videographed the event and are inquiring about it," the DM said.

Rahul's roadshow was also shown black flags by youths belonging to some Muslim groups in Baghai area of the Cantonment. They were shouting slogans of 'Rahul, Go back'.

However, state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who was part of the roadshow, denied there was any violation of the model code of conduct and accused the district administration of trying to stop Rahul's mass contact programme at the behest of the Mayawati Government.

"The party has apprised the Election Commission about the action of the district administration," she said.

Kanpur MP and Union Minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal dared the authorities to file an FIR against him. "I had invited Rahul Gandhi for the roadshow. Let the authorities file an FIR against me," he told reporters.